Breast Feeding an Adopted Baby

The moment we started thinking about domestic adoption,

I started thinking about what we would feed our baby.

I am very pro-breastfeeding and I believe that breast is always best.
Obviously this belief system runs into a little snag when you adopt.
 

So I went to work researching.

After two years of adoption, I can learn almost anything I want on the Internet.

I ended up joining a Facebook group just for adoptive moms who want to nurse.

 

I found out that it is VERY possible to make a significant amount of breast milk for an adopted child.  Many mothers can make about half of their child's daily needs.  It took my about two seconds to realize this is exactly what I want to do!

 

The first thing I did is order a number of herbs to start taking.

Now there are a million herbs that mothers can take to help make more breast milk.

I picked a few to try and am now taking the following herbs three times a day.

 

I drink Mothers Milk Tea.

Goats Rue Tincture

Fennel Seed 

Blessed Thistle

Nettle Herb

Fenugreek
Moringa

Go big or go home!

All of these herbs are said to help lactating mothers produce more breast milk.

 

I am also eating loads of oatmeal everyday which is supposed to help a mothers milk supply grow.

As of right now I am pumping during the day every two hours.
Yes it is a ton of work!
I am just praying it will be worth it!

I am also taking Domperidone which medication with the side effect of producing breast milk.
I will also be adding in night time pumping sessions.
Right now I am getting 1/2 a ml of milk each pumping sessions.
This may not seem like much but it is a pretty standard for the beginning stages of re-lactation.

I am hoping to start producing enough milk to start storing in my freezer for baby in about a month.
I am beyond excited to be able to provide this basic need for our child.
I can't wait to nurse a baby again!
Its been too long!

I will keep giving you guys updates as well as more information on the subject of adoptive breastfeeding.