Hi All--
I just encountered a situation that is new for me, and is not mentioned in
any of the standard bfdg references, nor have my Lactnet Archive searches
yielded anything.  This is a mom who is adopting a baby, due in about 6
weeks.  The adoptive mom and I met to discuss feeding options, and she had
never even considered the possibility that she might be able to breastfeed
(I also mentioned banked human milk as a feeding option, also the
possibility of putting baby to breast for comfort and bonding only, and not
making milk production a priority).  She is a Type I diabetic, uses an
insulin pump, and also has fibromyalgia (currently stable, takes
nortryptilene, fenoprofen, and combination birth control pills for that
condition).  I copied a bunch of info on adoptive moms, and on diabetic moms
and sent it to her.  She was intrigued, and ran it by her endocrinologist,
who was HORRIFIED, and said "NO WAY!!" to the idea of her attempting to
lactate.  Her family also expressed a lot of reservations about her doing
anything that could disrupt her endocrine balance.

She called me to relate all of the above today, after receiving and reading
the info, and getting the feedback from her HCP and family.  I pointed out
to her --and she agreed--that all of the info I'd sent refers to diabetic
women who have carried a pregnancy to term, and then lactated.  Her
situation is obviously different.  Has anyone cared for a diabetic mom who
adopted and then breastfed?  Did lactating have any effects on the diabetes?
For sure, the OCPs would limit her milk supply, and she says they have
really helped her feel normal and healthy for the 1st time in quite a while,
and that she would not want to discontinue them.  Meanwhile, she will be
getting this new baby soon, and wants the info she needs to make a informed
decision on whether to start pumping/Reglan in preparation.  This is a
thoughtful, intelligent woman who has put LOTS of effort into learning about
and optimizing her health.  She also is the adoptive mom of a 4 year old,
they got this little girl when she was 9 months old, and fed her ABM.

Not wanting to sacrifice breastfeeding on the altar of ignorance, but also
wanting to proceed with caution in what seems to be a unique situation.....
Martha Johnson RN IBCLC
Eugene Oregon
PS--Please respond to me at home <[log in to unmask]> as well as posting
the list--TIA!!

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