Merchant Reply:

I'm glad you aked. There are different things adoptive moms can do at different points, depending on whether or not they know exactly when they'll be adopting. There is also a range of options from less to more intensive, or more natural/herbal to more medical/prescription. I work with moms and babies according to their desires and circumstances. It could be as involved as using the Newman-Goldfarb protocols: http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/print/induced_lactation/protocols4print.html It could be as simple as getting the baby to the adoptive mom's breast for feedings with a supplemental nurser to see if Mom will eventually begin to produce some milk on her own. I've seen situations where the birth mom pumps for the baby for a while and where an adoptive mom has been able to get milk from a human milk bank for an adopted child. The milk supply of the adoptive mom will vary depending on the interventions and on the mom herself, for example, her hormonal health, her sheer force of will and patience. : )

If this doesn't answer your question, just let me know.

January 06, 2009