Nursing the Adopted Infant
Background: Breastfeeding is commonly accepted as the preferred method of infant nutrition for various reasons, both nutritional and emotional. For some who have become parents by adoption, there is a strong desire to induce lactation for adoptive nursing.
Methods: Information regarding adoptive nursing was initially obtained for the author's personal experience from searching the internet and speaking with other adoptive mothers. The medical literature was also searched through OVID/MEDLINE using pertinent terms, including induced lactation, adoptive nursing, domperidone, and metoclopramide.
Results: Use of physiologic and pharmacologic methods can help an adoptive mother bring in a milk supply. The quantity may not be sufficient to entirely meet an infant's nutritional needs. However, for many the emotional benefits remain. There is some controversy surrounding the use of domperidone and metoclopramide for induced lactation. Herbals such as fenugreek have not been researched. Physicians can help their patients understand the current tools available to assist them with this unique endeavor.
Both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics have policy statements on breastfeeding that include assisting or encouraging adoptive mothers to induce lactation for adoptive nursing. That said, there is very little in the medical literature on how to help an adoptive mother in her endeavor to induce lactation. Probably, most physicians and adoptive parents are unaware of this potential opportunity. Many adoptive parents have little notice of placement dates or are adopting older infants who are less likely to want to nurse.
Although undoubtedly a small trend, many women are attempting to nurse their adopted babies. Much of what information is available comes from various Internet sources and a few publications. Parents are able to access lactation protocols on the Internet and from other laypersons via Internet groups. These protocols involve using various methods from simply performing nipple stimulation to using multiple medicines and herbs to mimic the physiology necessary to produce milk.
Background: Breastfeeding is commonly accepted as the preferred method of infant nutrition for various reasons, both nutritional and emotional. For some who have become parents by adoption, there is a strong desire to induce lactation for adoptive nursing.
Methods: Information regarding adoptive nursing was initially obtained for the author's personal experience from searching the internet and speaking with other adoptive mothers. The medical literature was also searched through OVID/MEDLINE using pertinent terms, including induced lactation, adoptive nursing, domperidone, and metoclopramide.
Results: Use of physiologic and pharmacologic methods can help an adoptive mother bring in a milk supply. The quantity may not be sufficient to entirely meet an infant's nutritional needs. However, for many the emotional benefits remain. There is some controversy surrounding the use of domperidone and metoclopramide for induced lactation. Herbals such as fenugreek have not been researched. Physicians can help their patients understand the current tools available to assist them with this unique endeavor.
Both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics have policy statements on breastfeeding that include assisting or encouraging adoptive mothers to induce lactation for adoptive nursing. That said, there is very little in the medical literature on how to help an adoptive mother in her endeavor to induce lactation. Probably, most physicians and adoptive parents are unaware of this potential opportunity. Many adoptive parents have little notice of placement dates or are adopting older infants who are less likely to want to nurse.
Although undoubtedly a small trend, many women are attempting to nurse their adopted babies. Much of what information is available comes from various Internet sources and a few publications. Parents are able to access lactation protocols on the Internet and from other laypersons via Internet groups. These protocols involve using various methods from simply performing nipple stimulation to using multiple medicines and herbs to mimic the physiology necessary to produce milk.