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Subject:
From:
Lyla Wolfenstein <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 7 May 1998 20:02:38 -0700
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Hi all,

I have what i believe to be a fairly unusual situation that i could use
some input on:

A lesbian couple, one partner pregnant, due in beginning of July.  the
other partner would like to induce lactation so that she can share the
responsibility of feeding the baby (night wakings, etc.).  Separation for
work not an issue, birth mom will be home at least four months, then only
working part time, "adoptive" mom has tons of flexibility - is a graduating
student right now.

Aside from the usual questions about what to expect and how to go about
inducing lactation, the question at the forefront of my mind is - is it
possible / adviseable for these moms to share in breastfeeding this baby,
in terms of not jeapordizing the birth mom's milk supply, and at the same
time maintaining hte "adoptive" mom's milk supply, once induced?  I
suggested exclusive nursing by the birth mom for at least the first few
weeks to establish milk supply and transfer colustrum to the baby.  But the
question remains - can these mothers "divide" their milk production to meet
hte needs of the baby?  is it possible for the birth mom to provide half a
milk supply, or is the supply/demand mechanism just not that accurate (in
other words, if hte baby nurses half the time with birth mom and half the
time with adoptive mom, will the birth mom's supply adjust to meet those
needs specifically, or might it fall below the "half-time" needs of the
baby?  Assuming there is some way to combine milk supplies to meet hte
baby's needs, i presume the adoptive mom would need to pump when not
nursing to maintain whatever supply she manages to induce?  or is that not
so - and would her supply maintain, once established, to meet whatever
needs this baby has (and stimulates from her personally?).

Another thought I had was that the adoptive mom could induce lactation, and
once the birth mom's supply was FIRMLY established, the birth mom could
express milk for 1-2 feedings per day, and the adoptive mom could use the
expressed milk in a nursing supplementer to give her feedings, thereby
continuing to stimulate her milk supply and the birth mom would be
contiuing to send her body the message that that milk was still needed .. . .

Does anyone know of any  studies, cases, anecdotes, anything, about a
situation like this??

Any input/thoughts/ideas/musings welcome.  Thanks!



Lyla W.
La Leche League Leader - Oakland/Berkeley
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