How to Breastfeed an Adopted Baby

If you're adopting a baby, you may be surprised to find out it's possible to breastfeed that baby. Breastfeeding offers many benefits and should be encouraged whenever possible. Lactation is all about hormones and the hormones produced during breastfeeding can be produced even if you haven't given birth, though it will take a great deal of planning and effort.

Instructions

1

Pump your breasts, using a quality pump (hospital grade if possible) every two to three hours before your baby comes home. This will stimulate your breasts to produce the hormones you need for lactation. Your body may start producing milk even before your adopted baby comes home. Try to pump both breasts at the same time to stimulate the most hormones.

2

Call your pediatrician and care provider and let them know you plan on breastfeeding your baby. Listen to their recommendations for you. Your care provider may even prescribe a drug called Domperidone to help you produce milk.

3

Find a lactation consultant through your local hospital or care provider. A lactation consultant will offer tips to help with lactation. She also makes sure you know how to correctly latch your baby on to your breasts.

4

Contact La Leche League. La Leche League has a great deal of research and tips about how to breastfeed an adopted baby. Consider going to La Leche League meetings in your area so you have the support of other breastfeeding women and can use your La Leche League Leader for assistance.

5

Get your baby onto your breast as soon as possible, even if you're not producing any milk. If you can, try to avoid offering your adopted baby any artificial nipples due to the risk of nipple confusion. Cup feed or finger feed your baby breastmilk or formula rather than bottle feed them.

6

Consider purchasing a lactation aid such as a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS). An SNS allows you to give your baby breastmilk through tubes attached to your breast, while your baby nurses. This allows your baby to get breastmilk at the same time she nurses and will stimulates your breasts to produce milk.

7

Latch your baby correctly onto your breast, eight to twelve times a day. The more your baby nurses, the more lactation hormones are produced and the more milk you will have.