Jessica,

It has been a few years since I worked with three adoptive mothers one right
after another but the main thing I remember that I had been to a Conference
about Adoptive nursing.  The speaker had nursed an adopted child and she
worked with many others.  She said that it was too hard for a mother to pump
to get ready for the baby.  Sometimes, the bmother does back out and in
other cases the parents have no idea how long it might take to get a baby.
Mothers who have been pregnant have a chance of producing milk but even
mothers who have recently nursed do not always have enough milk for the baby
and must supplement the entire time.  Most mothers who have never been
pregnant will not produce milk.  Best results are to pump on a schedule
similiar to a newborn's (every two hours around the clock) and to use an
SNS.  I think it is important to make sure the mother knows how difficult
this might be.  She really has to want to do this A LOT and needs a great
deal of support.  She needs to realize that she may have to use an SNS
during the entire nursing experience and will probably never produce enough
milk to sustain a baby.  Doesn't sound promising does it?  I am always
amazed at the dedication of an adoptive nursing mother.

Hope this helps.

Kay Hagan-Haller, LLL Leader and mother of six


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I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do
something; and what I should do and can do, by the grace of God, I will do.