Hi Ladies -
I posted earlier & you all hooked me up with some really useful links. I'm finding out just what you said - doctors don't really have a lot of info on bf'ing an adopted child.
Here are my 3 questions of the day:
1.) Which doctor should I address bf'ing with? They don't seem to know. Our ob (my partner is the birth mom so she is seeing an ob, not me) thought the infertility doctor might be the best person to ask. The infertility doc referred me back to the OB. Or should I go to my regular general practitioner?

2.) Does anyone know if I should invest in a Lact-aid?

3.) Any input on using medication (hormones) to induce lactation?

I know this isn't an adoptive bf board, but I'll take any advice you all have!
TYIA,
~Laura

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Laura
DW Carolyn
& IVF Miracle Caleb Atticus

I don't know, but I would guess a lactation consultant would be your best bet. They are going to know the most about lactation, much more than an ob, IMO.

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i would not bother with a dr at all until you have met with a board certified lc. she'll be your "goto gal" for info, and can likely refer you to a dr who at least has a inkiling of knowledge about bf, if you end up needing an rx for meds.

another option is a midwife. they are usually much more knowledgeable about bf than any regular md.

i would get either a lactaid or an sns. they both have their pros and cons. i have heard lactaids are better because the bag collapses but i have never tried one of the to know for sure. i do have experience with an sns though, and i cna tell you that they are a pitr at first, but once you get the hang of them they do well. i like that there is 2 tubes at once vs one, and that there are 3 different tubing sizes to choose from to customize flow etc. i suppose you could get 2 lactaid so that you could have 2 tubes...

you are going to need something to feed the baby with while you are working on increasing a supply of milk, and a lactaid or sns will allow you to get the needed stimulation AND help avoid any problems with nipple confusion/preference.

is birth mom gonna at least pump for awhile to express human milk for you to put in the lactaid if you can't get a full supply in?

i would go with what is recommended on the "four friends" site and kellymom and the lll sites. the fourfriends sites should have a lot of info on it, since they've done it.

iirc, they use hormonal bcp to simlulate pregnancy, and then use a glactogogue to help increase supply. of the 2 rx ones, i would take domperidone anyday before even thinking about tkaing reglan, since reglan can have some nasty side effects.

there are also many hebral galactogogues. fenugreek is probably the most well known and highly used. also mother's milk teas are great for supply, and as long as you don'tmind the taste of black licorice, the teas are an easy way of getting lots of herbs into you.

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