Thursday, June 29, 2006

Breastfeeding

I just want to preface this post by saying I know this is not common and most people don't even realize it's possible. However, that doesn't mean it's wrong or not healthy. Everyone knows the research shows breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It's also a great way to bond with a child. And what child needs bonding and nutrition more than a baby from an orphanage? So, I'm very excited to say that we are preparing to breastfeed Dylan! It's going to a lot of hard work, but I'm willing to try if there's a chance of it working. Here's how it works.

I've begun Yaz, which is a contraceptive pill with higher doses of estrogen. It tries to mimic the pregnancy hormone levels and make your body think it's pregnant. Simultaneously, I will be taking domperidone, which is a nausea drug that has a side effect of producing prolactin, the hormone that makes milk. The fact that we have several months (I'm estimating around 6), makes our chance of success very high. I'm also taking a prenatal vitamin and eating oatmeal 3x/week (it seems to increase milk supply). Once we get a referral, we'll be about 3-4 months from getting Dylan. At that time, I'll discontinue the birth control, start taking a couple herbs (blessed thistle and fenugreek seed), and start pumping with a hospital-grade pump. I will have to pump 3-4x/day and work up to 8x/day. After 2-4 weeks of pumping, I should start producing milk. As soon as we get him, I should try to nurse him, but if he doesn't take right to it (which I don't expect him to), I can still pump and feed him breastmilk through a supplemental nursing system or a bottle (though I'm not supposed to use a bottle).

I'm not sure how long we'll nurse him, but I don't really agree with nursing past the age where the kid can ask for it and open your shirt. I'm not in any place to tell other people how to raise their kids, but that just seems weird to me, so we won't be doing that. I always said no longer than 12 months, but he may as old as 10 months when we get him, so maybe up to 18 months old. I'm not sure. We'll have to play that by ear. For now, I'm just hoping this will work. I'm seeing a lactation consultant that specializes in adoptive breastfeeding (and she says it's becoming very popular), and she has had a lot of success with this. I'm scared and nervous about it working, but I'm sure most new moms are.

Only 9 more days until the big yard sale!!

6 comments:

Stepping On Legos said...

Congrats! I know a handful of us PAPs who plan to nurse. It's no easy feat but will be well worth it, I think!

HawkOwl said...

What can I say? You just rock all the way. :)

Heather P. said...

That is great!

Toni and Erin said...

I am so thrilled for you, Steph. And every time I read one of your posts I am amazed by your love and your heart. I've said it before and I'll say it again... Dylan is going to be one lucky little boy... he already has parents who cherish him and he doesn't even know it yet!!! Your love and your dedication amaze and inspire me, Steph.

Stephanie said...

Sure, it's possible to only pump. I may have to end up doing that if he doesn't latch. It just depends. One of the main reasons I want to do it, though, it for the bonding and attachment, so I'm going to try my best to get it to work!

Liz said...

Good for you! Let me know if you need pump reccomendations, I used a hospital grade one, too, and loved it.