Adopting? Breastfeeding Is Possible!

I had the most interesting experience the other day. I got into a conversation about my job with a woman I had just met who mentioned she had a 3 1/2 month old baby at home. After all of the congratulations and "so-how-are-things-going" kind of questions, she said, "Oh, and I'm also 6 months pregnant..."

Now...I've seen and heard a lot, but for the life of me I couldn't figure this one out. I must have looked ostensibly confused because she started to laugh and said, "Oh! I left out one thing...my 3 1/2 month old is adopted. Sorry!"

Phew. I was thinking my math skills needed a little brush-up.

She went on to ask if, once her baby arrived, she could breastfeed both babies. The answer was a resounding "Absolutely!" Adoptive mothers can breastfeed! This mom's situation affords her an advantage in that her body will automatically begin the lactation process because she's been pregnant, but inducing lactation is an option even if you don't deliver your child.

Questions about breastfeeding and adoption? Let's chat about it in the forum.