It may be difficult, but many women are able to breastfeed adopted children. If you have been pregnant before, that may make it easier. The help of your doctor and a lactation consultant may be necessary. The stimulation of the baby feeding may cause your body to produce milk, and the more the baby nurses the more milk will be produced. However, you may need to discuss hormone supplementation with your doctor to get the process going. If you can, prepare by pumping every three hours around the clock (for eight sessions each day) a couple of weeks before the baby arrives. If you are unable to produce enough milk for the baby, consider an at-breast supplementer; these devices enable the baby to get more milk, either formula or donated breastmilk, while feeding at your breast. Don't be discouraged; even if you are unable to give the baby enough nutrition on your own, it is still a wonderful way for baby and you to be close.
Breastfeeding A Baby
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Intermountain Healthcare answeredSee All 3 AnswersColostrum is the golden yellow milk that you pump the first days after your baby’s birth. It is packed with everything your baby needs to grow and provides extra antibodies (disease-fighting substances) that help your baby fight infections and other complications. After the first few days, your milk will become thinner and less yellow, until it becomes mature milk. Mothers who deliver preterm infants produce colostrum longer. This gives their babies more antibodies and extra protection for a longer time.
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See All 2 AnswersAlthough most breastfeeding-related problems can be corrected by addressing a few simple procedural issues, a small subset of the population can experience primary lactation failure (PLF), a condition occurring when the mother’s body fails to produce enough milk to supply her infant’s nutritional needs. PLF can be due to various factors, notably previous thoracic or breast surgery severing vital nerves or ducts, hormonal imbalances and/or insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), which can also be referred to as hypoplasia or tubular breast syndrome.
Many options exist for proper infant nutrition outside of breast milk, including many different types of formula. Your pediatrician can best guide you on which type of formula will work best for your infant, and can help you adjust if you experience issues transitioning.
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See All 3 AnswersBreastfeeding can benefit your baby in many ways. Specifically, human milk was made perfectly for humans. It provides the nutrients in the proper quantities, changing over time as the volume of milk changes with time for the infant. Following are some additional benefits of breastfeeding for babies:
- reduced obesity
- higher IQ
- reduced allergies
- reduced infections including ear infections, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal (GI) infections, urinary tract infections
- reduced risk of some cancers
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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HCA Virginia answeredAlthough most breastfeeding-related problems can be corrected with changing how you're actually doing it, a small number of women experience primary lactation failure (PLF), a condition when the mother’s body fails to produce enough milk to supply her infant’s nutritional needs.
PLF can be due to various factors, notably previous thoracic or breast surgery severing vital nerves or ducts, hormonal imbalances and insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), which can also be referred to as hypoplasia or tubular breast syndrome. Many options exist for proper infant nutrition outside of breast milk, including many different types of formula. Your pediatrician can best guide you on which type of formula will work best for your infant, and can help you adjust if you experience issues transitioning.
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Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answeredSee All 12 AnswersBreast feeding provides the best nutrition for your child. Breast feeding decreases your baby's risk of ear infections, respiratory illnesses, sudden infant death syndrome, obesity and hypertension. Breast feeding also provides mom with benefits including aiding weight loss after delivery, and reducing risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
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HCA Virginia answeredSee All 3 Answers
Many restrictions that existed during pregnancy still exist, to some degree, when breastfeeding. Cigarette smoking is universally unhealthy for both mothers and infants, and should be avoided. Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke have higher incidences of respiratory distress, ear infections, eye irritation, croup, colic and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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HCA Virginia answeredSee All 2 Answers
Many restrictions that existed during pregnancy still exist, to some degree, when breastfeeding. A good rule of thumb about alcohol consumption when breastfeeding is that if you’re sober enough to drive, then you can breastfeed. Alcohol affects infants in a magnified way because of their underdeveloped liver function, so consumption should always be monitored with care. Caffeine intake is another common concern, although most mothers can have it in moderation. Some infants are more sensitive than others to a mother’s caffeine intake, particularly if the mother avoided caffeine entirely during pregnancy.
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Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answeredSee All 3 Answers
Medical and nutrition experts recommend breastfeeding for your baby's optimal growth and development, but are you aware of the benefits to mom? Besides knowing your baby is well-nourished, you as a nursing mother obtain benefits from breastfeeding as well:
- Breast milk doesn't need preparation: no measuring, mixing or warming.
- Breastfeeding may help regain your pre-baby figure. Some studies have shown that breastfeeding women experience greater weight loss than those who did not breastfeed.
- Nursing your baby provides you with an opportunity to sit down and relax every few hours.
- Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing pre-menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
While breastfeeding isn't always possible for every mother and baby, the potential benefits make it worth discussing with your physician and a registered dietitian.
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See All 2 AnswersBreastfeeding protects against childhood overweight and obesity. However, in the United States, while 75% of mothers start out breastfeeding, only 13% of babies are exclusively breastfed at the end of six months. The success rate among mothers who want to breastfeed can be improved through active support from their families, friends, communities, clinicians, health care leaders, employers and policymakers.