Forced Lactation: A Good Option for Adopting Mothers?
Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t make any considerations for adopted newborns, at least when it comes to breastfeeding. If an adoptive mother wasn’t already lactating herself, (due to another pregnancy), she was forced to use a wet nurse or formula. Fortunately, innovations in medical science have allowed a change in this trend. Now, adopting mothers can actually use forced lactation to breastfeed their newborns from their own bodies. A friend of mine (the one who is currently looking for locum doctor jobs), has explained it to me.
How is this possible? Well, basically the mother tricks her body’s natural physiology. After several months of breast pumping and/or Domperidone use, the body begins increasing its prolactin production. When this happens the brain releases oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates lactation. From that point forward, an adopting mother can breastfeed just like any other woman that has delivered a baby through this forced lactation.
In terms of possible side effects, there really aren’t any. If a woman cannot take Domperidone or other lactation drugs, she can try to induce breast milk naturally through the baby’s suckling or with a breast pump. The latter method will take a longer period of time, and may not always work for some women. But when it does work the milk is normal and healthy.
However, forced lactation may produce less milk in the beginning. That’s why an adopting mother may want to supplement with formula. Either way, she should regularly consult with a lactation expert along with her physician to make sure her body is producing enough milk for her baby’s needs.
In addition, women undergoing forced lactation must eat appropriately, to ensure that their milk is nutritious. The same is also true for pregnant women, though some may forget that nutrition is just as important during forced lactation. So, that means an adopting mother must eat between 1,800 and 2,200 calories a day. She must also avoid food or beverages that are harmful to a baby’s system, such as alcohol or caffeine.
Adopting moms will also need to adjust to some of the physical discomforts associated with breastfeeding. This includes a feeling of fullness as the milk enters the breast along with possible uterine cramping. The latter can be extremely painful for many women, so that’s something to consider if you’re thinking about forced lactation.
In conclusion, if you’re adopting a newborn don’t think natural breastfeeding is out of the realm of possibilities. Whether you use drugs or manual nipple stimulation, it is possible to feed your newborn through forced lactation and your baby and you will experience the beautiful breastfeeding process.