Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply My breastfeeding experience so far....

Hi all...just thought I would share my story so far...

On December 27th my dh and I left for South Africa to pick up our then 5 month old baby boy. I had been on the regular protocol for 4 months and been pumping for a month (despite surgery, Christmas, and a 24 hour flight!!! - that is a funny story on its own - for anyone else planning to do this, don't be cheap like me and just buy the battery pack already!!!). I have now pumped in all kinds of crazy situations - including in a storage closet in the Johannesburg airport!

So, we met our precious boy on January 2nd and once we got him to our hotel I put him to the breast with very low expectations. I just wasn't sure how he would take it - I thought I would wait a few days, but once we finally got him I just felt the overwhelming urge to put him to the breast. He latched on like a pro! I was thrilled and amazed, it was such an amazing moment.

It is now almost a month later and he now breastfeeds at least 3-4 times a day, although I am not entirely sure how much he is getting. In the mornings I am pretty full and he seems satiated for awhile...

I am so happy that I stuck with this despite the challenges I faced while bringing in my supply. It was also challenging to feed him while we were in South Africa - there are many mixed feelings about trans-cultural adoption and I was very nervous about what kind of reaction I might get. I have to admit, I am much more relaxed with it now that we are home - our family and friends are all very supportive.

On our way home (another 24 hour flight!) he nursed several times on the plane, and whenever he is fussy it just settles him right now. It is amazing - it just calms him down instantly. We are now home (as of Thursday) and I can begin to really work on increasing my supply. It was VERY challenging while travelling, to say the least.

Anyways, if anyone has any advice for me, I'd love to hear it...

Karyn

Karyn congratulations!!!!

I dont have any advice for you but I just wanted to say Great job! What a great beginning to your breastfeeding journey!

Dear Karyn,

Congratulations on your wonderful success with the protocols as well as your fabulous breastfeeding experience!

You are doing all the right things. If it is possible for you to breastfeed more often and supplement at the breast, it would be beneficial to your child for many reasons (helps hand eye coordination, bonding, immunities, and so on) and would be great for your milk supply in the process. Some mothers pump for about 10 minutes after most feeds and for 20-30 minutes whenever they are separated from baby. This also helps milk supply.

Have you started the herbs? Some mothers eat oatmeal 2-3 times per week and research now shows that snacking while pumping or breastfeeding assists the let-down response through an alternate oxytocin pathway that begins in the gut. Any snack will do and it doesn't have to be a meal.

Thank you for sharing your facinating and inspiring story with us. You helped a lot of mothers and babies today.

best, Lenore