Any adoptive moms out there?

I am hoping to adopt an infant (waiting on a match) and I'm trying to figure out if milkshare would be a viable option for an adoptive mom? I believe in the value of breast milk, but when adopting there just aren't that many options to breastfeed.

I know I could try to prepare to BF myself if I had enough notice prior to birth (I could have just one day notice or I might have 3 months notice), but my past experience makes me think I might not produce much milk anyway (I gave birth to twins who did not survive long, I pumped for 5 days and was still not getting more than a few drops).

I would love to hear from an adoptive mom who did this and it worked. Thanks in advance.

Hi There,

I am an adoptive mom of a 6 week old little girl. I wish you best of luck in your journey, it sounds like you have been through a lot and that an understatement.

We were matched with a BM about 4 months before her due date. I decided to start the hormones and pumping about 2 months before which was just not enough time to produce a good amount of milk. So, I began looking for donors on milkshare when I realized that I probably wouldn't be able to produce as much as a baby would need. I found a donor and put it in the freezer until we returned home. I still haven't been able to produce that much milk but you have to be very, very agressive about pumping to make this happen. A lactation consultant told me that I would have to pump 8-12 times a day to produce what a baby would need. I just don't have that kind of time because I am working part time. I figured that if the baby was getting nutrience from donor breastmilk, that was the main goal.

Some adoptive moms have started pumping and hormones really early on and have been able to produce. So, if I was to do it all over again I would start as soon as we were matched. Of course, you do never know how soon the call will come and how much time you have.

Hope this helps! You can also check out some adoption forums, they usually have breast feeding info too.

Best of luck!!!!!
Meg

Thanks for the input. About how long at a minimum do you think you'd need to pump to produce adequate milk? My attorney only matches in the 3rd trimester. I guess my fear would be pumping for 4 months and then what I would do if we had a failed adoption. I do would have a hard time pumping 8 - 12 times per day - phew. I will do a little more research on the adoption forums. Thanks again.

Hi, We brought home our son a month ago and have used BM of a local donor. I am now using milkshare as we have run out. My baby is healthy and growing! I am hoping this will work for us because I did not/do not produce myself.
It is an exciting time and I commend you for looking into BM so far in advance.

Katie

Congrats Katie on the new addition to your family. I'm glad to hear it has worked out for you. Please pass on any tips you have. We just got our home study approved, so we are in official "waiting" mode for what could happen tomorrow or in 18 months. Ahh, I wish I were less "type A" personality. :-)

Hi there,

We adopted both our children-- in fact, they are birth siblings. I have used Milkshare for both of them and consider it such a blessing. My daughter, Tallie, is now 2 and we used milkshare for 3 months (until we found out she had a milk allergy and needed to be on special formula-- she grew out of the allergy by a year), and my son, Noah, is now 8 months and still a Milkshare baby (in fact, we're looking for more milk right now to keep up with his appetite!).

Anyway, I wrote an article for a parenting magazine about Milkshare and my experience with Tallie in 2009. The article is part of a series I wrote on adoption and won an award from Parenting Publications of America. Here is the article on Milkshare: http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2009-10-01/articles/006.html

Good luck to you. Adopting my children was the best thing that ever happened to us. We are so blessed and I am sure you will feel the same way when your little one comes your way!

Best,
Robyn

I have donated to adpoted parents... and it has been such agreat joy to share and donated to such amazing familys!!!

there are a couple other sites as well u can get donor milk!!!

- http://www.humanmilk4humanbabies.com/
- http://www.eatsonfeets.com/

one of the moms i donated to... after they where matched and the baby was due in 3 months... started looking and getting donations right away!!! She stocked up over 2000oz before baby was born... and of course burned throw it with in 2 months... but it gave her enouhg time to stock up on milk tell she got her next donation and she was able to keep her baby on donor milk...

So gald u r wanting to give your baby the very best... ill keep yall in my prayers and hope yall find a match soon ((Hugs)) laura

Thanks for the article link Robyn - I'm so glad to hear from an adoptive mom who has done this! And thanks for your kind wishes.

And Laura Mae - thanks for the additional sites to check. I think if we have the luxury of time (by being matched well in advance of birth), I'll try to stockpile some milk in advance that seems like the best way to do it. Thanks for your wishes for a quick match - my fingers are crossed.

I stock piled before my children's birth as well. And also matched with some donors in their home state so that while I was out there, I could meet with them and have the privilege of using their milk as well!

sorry for typos i was bfing... LOL yea, stock pill is a great idea!!!