The person who knows the most about what is in the medical literature about
induced lactation is Karleen! All in all, though, there isn't a great deal
in the medical literature that is all that helpful for individual moms
trying to establish a breastfeeding relationship and milk supply for an
adopted baby. Besides that, approaching it as a medical occurence, IMO,
results in a lower success rate, overall. My goal, in breastfeeding my own
adopted children, and with counseling others, is to see as many adopted
babies as possible being nurtured at the breast, recieving some amount of
breast milk, for as long as they want and need to keep nursing. Although it
may seem that looking for scientific information would be the best course to
take, IME, that approach tends to be more of a stumbling block than an
advantage. The more medical approaches may result in a few mothers being
able to claim larger milk supplies, but the overall percentage who succeed,
according to the above definition, tends to be much lower.
The medical approaches put the focus on milk. Those who concentrate on
producing milk, rather than feeding and nurturing at the breast, are more
likely to throw in the towel, when their milk supplies don't meet their
expectations. Of those who do keep going, there is a large percentage who
end up pumping and feeding with bottles. Besides the fact that the baby
doesn't get any nurturing while his adoptive mother is pumping, very few
moms will keep pumping for a very long time. I have known of a couple who
lasted a year, but most only hang in there for a few months. I think it is
important to ask which baby is getting the most benefits, one who gets lots
of breast milk from a bottle for a matter of months, or one who enjoys a
normal breastfeeding relationship and continues to get a significant amount
of breastmilk for two years, or however long he feels the need? I sure see
alot of evidence with my own kids, as to the answer to that, especially with
my nearly 16 year old, with whom things have been challenging, to put it
mildly! I'm not sure we would have made it without the rock solid bond that
Thomas and I have as mother and son. Nearly everyone who has worked with
him, and even many of the other kids he has gotten to know, who have been
through similar problems, has commented on the bond we have. I am convinced
that the fact that he was able to keep nursing, from the time I got him, at
15 days old, until he chose to pass "Mommy's nursies" on to his baby
brother, Joseph, when he was four and half years old, was extremely
beneficial. Had I focused too much on how much milk I was producing, rather
than the nursing relationship, I am not so sure we would have made it beyond
the first few months.
That is not to discourage efforts to maximize milk production, just to keep
it in perspective. Keeping the baby at the breast is actually the surest
way to keep milk flowing too. Some ladies respond to medications and pumps,
by producing milk, and some don't. Responses to a baby at the breast are
alot more consistant.
Anyway, I hope that this couple and their baby will be able to enjoy the
multiple benefits of breastfeeding for an extended time! A good resource is
www.fourfriends.com/abrw
Aloha,
Darillyn
""Wonderful couple planning to adopt an infant are looking for
evidence-based
guide to induced lactation. Does anyone have any resources to share?
Thanks!""
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