Introduction
It is quite a new concept among many women who are unaware of the possibility of breastfeeding in an adoptive mother. It is possible for a woman who has never given birth to a baby to breastfeed her adoptive child. Various simulations are induced for milk production. The younger the baby, the easier the process becomes. The adoptive parent can take the help of a lactation consultant who can help in this journey.
What Is an Induced Lactation?
These are mothers who have never delivered a baby and want to begin the journey of motherhood through surrogacy or adopting a baby. This method of lactation is induced with the help of herbs, medicines, breast pumps, and hormones. It requires at least six months to start a pregnancy-like state in these non-birthing mothers. Most women might not achieve a complete milk supply through this method. However, the aim is to create a bonding between the baby and not just the feeding alone. The hormone intake is stopped about six to eight weeks before the baby arrives. The later stages are promoted by breast stimulation methods to eject the milk. Once the baby arrives, it initiates the breastfeeding reflex like any other normal child. In adoptive elderly babies, proper skin-to-skin contact and other breast supplements can be practiced.
How Can an Adoptive Mother Induce Natural Breast Milk Production?
Nursing an adoptive baby becomes much easier if the child is a newborn infant. There are various methods to induce lactation in non-birthing mothers, which are as follows-
-
Hormone Stimulation: The doctor will prescribe certain hormones like estrogen to induce breast milk secretion. Secondly, the mother is given hormonal therapy for Domperidone combined with breast stimulation to induce milk. Hormonal stimulation can also be achieved by taking contraceptives and galactagogues.
-
Breast Pump Stimulation: The initial step of preparation of breast milk production can be started by breast pump stimulators to eject the milk. Using a double breast pump continuously for about ten weeks will effectively help in milk secretion. Collecting the milk in breast pump bottles avoids the wastage of milk. There are mainly two devices used to stimulate breast milk, a breast pump and a supplemental feeding device (SFD).
-
Breast Stimulation: During this stage, the breasts are prepared for the process of making milk. It is a slow process and not done in an aggressive manner. The first step is to expel the milk by hand expression or using breast pumps. The combination of both techniques can also be done.
-
Diet: Various herbal diets can be included to initiate more breast milk production. Some commonly used methods are drinking plenty of water, adding more fenugreek to food, and eating other milk-boosting foods. Certain drugs, like Domperidone, Metoclopramide, Sulpiride, and Chlorpromazine, can also be used to induce milk production.
-
Pacifiers: Using low-pressure devices like pacifiers helps the baby to learn the latching and sucking mechanism. Supplemental feeding devices with breast dummies can be used to allow the formula food to feed the baby while the adoptive mother’s milk is on hold. This method can be practiced among working women.
-
Nursing Supplement: The mother can use customized devices with formulated milk products available in markets.
-
Kangaroo Care Methods: The mother can create skin-to-skin contact, massaging the breasts and surrounding areas like the back, front, and axilla region to stimulate breast milk production. Relaxation techniques and frequent breastfeeding methods can induce breast milk production. The mother can use the hand expression method and help the baby to suckle the milk. Direct skin contact with the nipples creates stimulation for breast milk production.
What Are the Symptoms Experienced by an Adoptive Mother During the Process of Induced Lactation?
The adoptive mother mimics a physiological state similar to a pregnancy state. The adoptive mother should be prepared to lactate her child every two to three hours. This maintains the constant production of milk by the prolactin hormone. Some of the developed symptoms during the course of induced lactation are as follows:
-
Increased weight gain.
-
Headaches.
-
Gastritis.
-
Increased size of breasts.
-
Depression and anxiety.
-
Irregular periods.
-
Disturbed sleep.
-
Fatigue.
What Are the Challenges Faced by a Non-birthing Mother During Lactation?
An adoptive mother faces similar challenges to that of a naturally birthing mother. Some of the commonly faced challenges are:
-
Over-aged child.
-
Improper latching of breast tissue.
-
Inability to produce milk or very little breast milk production.
-
Failure of adoption despite breast milk production.
-
Lack of proper schedule in implementing regular stimulation of breasts.
-
Lack of confidence due to sterile conditions.
-
The reduced success rate of milk production.
-
The risk or side effects of hormone therapy.
-
Time management in working mothers.
-
The health conditions of babies make it difficult to breastfeed them. For example, fever, allergies, breathing difficulty, congenital anomalies, etc.
How Can Breastfeeding Be Initiated in Babies Admitted to Neonatal Care Unit (NICU)?
The process of breastfeeding in an adoptive baby should be prepared way ahead of the baby’s arrival. Regular consultation with a lactation counselor and gynecologist can help prepare for this journey. A pre-grooming session with the mother or child can help build the motivation required for the weaning process. Breastfeeding is impossible when the baby is admitted to NICU due to birth complications or premature delivery. Hence, another alternative mechanism should be adopted at the earliest. One such practice is to bottle feed the baby either the birthing mother’s milk or the adoptive mother’s milk. The mother can store the pumped milk overnight and feed the baby.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding among non-birthing women not only gives them the beautiful experience of motherhood, but it also helps in building a bond between the mother and the adoptive child. The concept of induced lactation motivates many sterile parents who want to begin their own families. It gives the option of a home for yet another orphan kid and helps a mother to overcome the guilt during a lack of milk supply. Induced breastfeeding helps surrogate mothers to celebrate the joy of motherhood.
