Hi Jean,
No no one has looked at oxytocin or prolactin levels in women breastfeeding
adopted babies that I can think of however, there's no reason to think that
the patterns would not be the same as in women who have given birth (pattern
same, not necessarily levels depending on the circumstances). Undoubtably
breastfeeding does result in the release of prolactin and oxytocin and just
as undoubtably this affects the mother. I've just submitted a paper to a
prof journal that talks about this issue in some detail. I think it is
really important and there are implications for other "at risk" dyads!
As you describe close physical contact can also result in oxytocin
release....a friend who is an adoptive mum told me how a couple of days
after placement she was carrying her daughter when she started to feel
vaginal contractions. Oxytocin in action!

Here in Australia, nursing a baby means holding it so it's not uncommon for
anyone (children included) to ask a mum if they can "nurse" her baby. re
terminology, I have absolutely, no problem with breastfeeding having nothing
to do with food. Recently I was talking to an adoptive mum about my
research, she shared her experience of "not being a good cow" with her bio
son born premmie and he feelings of failure at not making enough milk for
him (and of the "breast nazis" that made her feel bad). However, she then
went on to describe how she continued for many years to allow her son to
suckle at her breast when he wanted to and how when they adopted their
daughter she saw what her brother was doing and moved in on the action as
well! Well fair dinkum, she's a breastfeeding mum, no ifs or buts! Yes, milk
is important but it's only part of the story and it's perfectly possible
(and beneficial) to breastfeed with no milk.

Karleen Gribble
Australia


> I'm also wondering if any prolactin and/or oxytocin level studies have
> ever been done on adoptive moms who nurse and provide varying amounts of
> milk from none on up to significant amounts.
>
> If hugging raises the oxytocin level in both the hugger and huggee, as I
> think I read recently in some popular publication, then how much more
> nurturing hormone surges must abound in the system of the nursing,
> adoptive mother at least, than if she were strictly feeding by bottle.
>
> And in some countries, Australia for one, I thought, isn't "nursing" a
> term that means "caring for any of the needs of the baby" So that fathers
> and grandpas etc. who help can even be said to "nurse" the baby?
>
> Just musing. Karleen?
>
> Jean
> **************
> K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
> Dayton, OH USA
>

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