adoptive breastfeeding

[adoptingagain]

I am an adoptive mother who also has tried to induce lactation. I have had a little success, but I only produce less than one ounce per feeding. I still offer all of her feedings at the breast with the help of a supplementer. I have had some wonderful women donate berastmilk to us and that has given us the opportunity to use very little formula. I would love to continue to offer her donated breastmilk as a supplement to what I can make but our stash of frozen milk is running very low.
If there is anyone out there who would be willing to donate extra breastmilk to us we would be extremely thankful. I live in Michigan and ideally would like to find a donor who also lives in Michigan so that I can avoid shipping.
Thanks
Clara

[RedheadbyChoice]

I cannot help but be leery of this post (color me jaded as we've had our share of trolls here), but, my best advice is for you to contact the milk bank in your state; that would be your best way of finding someone locally.

[adoptingagain]

I am sorry that you are feeling leery. I guess that there is nothing that I can do to ease your mind. I am simply trying to provide the best for my daughter.
Milk Banks don't work for our situation. First of all they usually only supply milk for babies who are premature or have other serious needs. You have to have a perscription from your doctor to even get milk from a milk bank and then if your insurance does not cover it, it costs a fortune (I have heard more than $5 per ounce).
I have been using website called milkshare to connect with donors and I just thought that this might be another way to find people who might be willing to help. I am sorry if this has offended anyone or if I was not supposed to post here, I just thought that I would take a chance.

[RedheadbyChoice]

You didn't offend me, sugar. Not at all. I merely wanted to explain myself, as I'm sure others were thinking the same thing. You've got to understand that we get trolls here, with a breastmilk fetish. Sad, but true. I applaud you for wanting to provide human milk for your baby. :)

Is milkshare no longer working for you?

[RedheadbyChoice]

Also, try this linky: relactation and adoptive breastfeeding. (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/relactation-resources.html)

[adoptingagain]

I have had a few donors from milk share but they were one-time-only donors. I haven't had any response lately and recently reposted there as well.
Thanks for the link... I have used that site as a great resource for information in my breastfeeding journey.

[dimplesx3]

I just wanted to say how wonderful it is that you are nursing your adopted baby.
I have a friend who nursed her adopted baby for several months.
Have you tried all of suggestions on how to increase your supply? (oatmeal, fenugrek etc.)

[RedheadbyChoice]

How old is your baby?

[adoptingagain]

She is 4 months old. I started trying to induce when we were matched with the birthmother in December. By the time she was born in the end of January I was pumping 8-10 times per day. I used Domperidone, goat's rue, fenugreek, and blessed thistle. I also eat oatmeal every day and try to find time to pump in between feedings. Her latch seems to be good but, with all of this I still don't produce very much. I have read that results are different with everyone and some women are able to make enough to EBF and others make very little. I guess I am toward the "very little" end of the spectrum.

[Nipple_nectar]

Would you like some help to increase lactation? What kind of pump are you using? I personally would recommend a minimum of 12-14 times per day, it is not the length of the pumping session but the frequency of the session that actually increases supply.

How long are your pumping sessions? Do you mind sharing what an average day looks like WRT your pumping schedule?

Goat's rue has been documented to actually increase breast glandular tissue, it's an excellent supplement.

Is baby using an artificial nipple at all? Or does she exclusively nurse at the breast with the supplementer?

You can also use breast compression (http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html) to help empty your breast which will help with supply.

www.fourfriends.com/abrw/ has a great boot camp for increasing milk supply, check it out.

Please come back and share your progress, hang in there nursin momma!

[elizabeth_1]

Try Motherlove.com, they have and promot products that will increase your milk supply.
http://motherlove.com

[Tisha]

So if i haven't been breast feeding for about five mths and want to try and get my milk back in can i start pumping, especially since i'm pregnant with baby number two. I'm asking b/c i'm confused when i read that women who adopt kids can nurse, i didn't know that.. So can someone just explain to me please how that works and if i can try bringing my milk back in... Thanks ladys

[Nipple_nectar]

While pregnant, you should refrain from nipple stimulation, as it may cause contractions and premature labor. You would need a rigorous amount of stimulation to bring back your milk supply.

There are women who nurse through pregnancy and for those as long as they do not have a history of premature labor, the contractions caused by nursing usually are not a worry. But these women are not trying to produce milk, so some days there is not much stimulation at all.

In fact, most women do lose their supply while pregnant. I lost mine completely by the 15th week of pregnancy. Some babies will continue to nurse, even if there is no milk.

[brukewilliams]

Practical guide for a mother considering breastfeeding her adopted baby and for the mother wishing to re-establish a milk supply after a short or long interruption.
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Brukewilliams
SuperBabyGuide (http://www.superbabyguide.com)