Dear Wise Friends--
Has anyone worked with an adopting mother whose baby was breastfed by
the relinquishing birth mother for as long as 3-6 months? Please email
me with details--how did the baby react to a new mother's breast? Was
the adopting mother using a supplementary device at the breast? What
worked to entice the baby to the breast? How did this affect the baby's
separation and grief experience?
For those who are curious, the baby is coming from a Pacific Island
where this is evidentally routine, but the placing agency isn't giving
the adopting mother information about how adoptive nursing goes under
these conditions.
Thank you.
Judy Gelman, IBCLC
Washington, DC