Hello Leanna,
Can you tell some more about why your institution would have such big
problems with the foster mother breastfeeding?
Women sometimes cross nurse, if there is no plan of adoption at all, so
what's the big deal here...?
You write 'immediately' in capitals, as if the foster mother were behaving
as a criminal if she would breastfeed.
We could argue the other way as well, considering breastfeeding to be a
basic infant right.
Depriving the infant of breastfeeding could be seen as criminal, considering
all we know about the characteristics of the process and the product.
You speak about the perceived risk of injury. I would argue that we don't
see it as 'less risk' than others, but as risk to 'not breastfeed'.
As Karleen said in an earlier post: is breastfeeding part of normal infant
care? And if so (I take it we all agree on this one!!): why the fuss?
What is it that your organisation is so afraid of? How come that you, as a
BOD-member, don't seem to discuss this but seem to agree with the
policy/position in use?
Kind regards,
Marianne Vanderveen IBCLC, Netherlands (who was thinking the other day of
what it would be like some day to take care of the grandchildren and not be
expected to put them to breast if they would cry...)
-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
From: Leanna Moore Watson
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 7:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Foster parenting and BF
Senecca,
I am on the Board of Directors and an Officer of a private foster care
non-profit in California. I cannot imagine that this foster mother would be
allowed to breastfeed her foster child, even if she has plans to
adopt.......we see bio parents get reunified with their children even when
we are sure that they will be released for adoption. The fact that the bio
mom has visitations shows that her rights have not yet been terminated. The
foster mom is not, at this point, an adoptive mom.....she is a state
supervised caretaker. I would caution her to get IN WRITING from her
agency social worker (if private) or her county social worker that she has
permission to breastfeed, or even feed breastmilk. This could have a huge
impact on her future as a foster mother and the chance she has to adopt this
child if she is trying to do it "under the radar". I guarantee that if she
were one of our clients, this mother would be decertified as a foster parent
IMMEDIATELY if we found out that she was breastfeeding this child secretly.
The bio mom's wishes have to be taken into consideration, and I would
imagine that a judge would have to OK this, as there is perceived risk of
injury (though we obviously see it as less risk than the judge/social worker
might). She should be treading VERY CAREFULLY or she might lose a lot more
than she is willing to sacrifice.
Leanna Moore Watson, BS, CLEC
Exam 2011!!
-----------------------------
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 21:54:09 -0500
From: Senecca Kirkhart <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Foster parenting and breastfeeding?
I have been approached by a foster mother to help her latch her new foster
twins. This mother has already induced lactation and is pumping 2-3
times/day. I'm not sure if foster mom's are allowed to breastfeed?? Does
anyone have experience with this? I have not called social services as I do
not want her to get in trouble.
She says she is going to be adopting them, but I have no proof of that. I
do know the biological mother will never have custody, but she is involved
"a little" and has visitation rights. As of right now, the state/county
has custody of these twins. Just a little history--this mom has 7
children--3 of her own, 4 adopted, but she only breastfed her 3 biological
children.
Thanks in advance!
Senecca Kirkhart, CPNP
Rural Virginia
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