Hello! My name is Kathy. I am 27 and we were chosen last week to adopt a precious baby boy due 7/24/06 -- NEXT month! I had a complete hysterectomy 2 years ago, due to an ovarian tumor. I have been lurking on this site for a while now and found some very useful and positive information interesting me to breastfeed. Do I have enough time to produce my own milk? My sister BF's her daughter that is 14 months old and she pumps as well. Can we supplement with her saved Breastmilk until my supply is in and up to par?

I want to gather information to present to my doctor to talk to him about it. I am on hormone replacement therapy that is all natural. How easy is it to take the suggested meds/herbs?

I guess I just would like some info shared with me! Thanks so much! I hope this rambling made sense.

Hi Kathy,

Welcome! And congratulations on your impending arrival!!

Please have a look at the menopause protocol here: http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/print/induced_lactation/protocols4print.html

You'll need to get started ASAP. It's lovely that your sister has breastmilk available. As long as she's healthy, there's no reason not to use it until your own milk comes in.

It will take about 60 days on the meds before you can start to agressively work to bring in your milk supply. During that time, you can start breastfeeding when your baby arrives with the help of a supplmenentary feeding system such as a Lact-aid www.lact-aid.com filled with your sister's milk until your own milk comes in and afterwards until it is well established. Once the 60 days are done, it would help if you can pump after most feeds to further stimulate milk production.

Start with this information and let me know if you have further questions or concerns and please discuss all of this with your doctor.

Best,

Kathy,

Welcome and congrats on the impending arrival of you soon to be baby!

You will be soooo happy you decided to breast feed your baby. It is just an outrageous experience to share this bond.

Can't wait to see your post from when baby arrives <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />