Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Equipment Questions - Starting protocol

Hi everyone,
I'm new here, but have been reading for a while. I'm getting all set-up with the drugs from my dr for the menopause protocol to prepare for adoptive breastfeeding. Should have all of the drugs by the end of this week. I'm starting to plan ahead and have questions about breast pumps and baby bottles.

Breast pumps - for long term use, I've read on this board that buying is more economical. Do the purchased pumps do as good a job as the hospital rental, double electric pumps? I'm looking at the Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump by Medela, double-electric, with new "natural expression" pump cycles. Sounds like fun!

And, what kind of bottles are best for switching back and forth from bottle to breast, when baby must have a feeding while I'm away? I've ordered 2 Adiri's which look pretty "authentic" to me. Or, are the playtex nipples better?

Thanks in advance for any answers that you can provide, and thanks so much for this great forum to share info about adoptive breastfeeding. I can hardly wait to get started!

BTW - in case you want my low-down -- we are approved and waiting for domestic newborn adoption. Our agency places a child with most families within 12 mos. We're already more than halfway up their "list" of waiting families, and could have a baby within 6 mos. No guarantees, but I want to be ready, and hope that I can produce some milk for my baby. This will be our first!

Thanks again,
TLC

I've not heard good things about the Adiri bottle. Alot of moms like the Avent bottles, but I've never had a baby that would take one. My 9 mo. old son takes the Playtex bottle with their new "Naturalatch" nipple. He never had any trouble going back and forth.

Good luck!

The pump in style is as good as a rental pump. Actually you get better speed controls with it. And it is as durable. You can always sell it on ebay when your done and get your money back. My DD did not like the Aidir bottles either.She couldn't latch well and they flowed to fast on slow.. dribbles everywhere. She did well with the new playtex bottles as well. I don't like the Avent cause the milk flows to fast even on slow flow. Also the evenflo elite nipple its a cone shaped looking nipple. My daughter does excellent with it. It makes her open wide.I like using this one with a regular wide mouth bottle that does not use bags. I use mine with the Gerber traditions. Actually that nipple with the Gerber traditions is like the playtex one as well.

TLC:
You have your act together for a rewarding breastfeeding experience. I can tell you first hand: I had success with the menopausal protocol in trying to breastfeed an adopted baby.

My very first try was unsuccessful because I didn't know about the preparation. And tried "cold turkey" to breastfeed my daughter who I received at 4 months old (domestic adoption).

My second attempt was more educated. Following what you are doing. The placement fell through but I (using the Medela PIS) produced up to 1 1/2 ounces per pumping of milk during the month of pumping. (After 5 months of preparation).

I'm signed back up for another placement attempt. And can't wait to try again with the breastfeeding. I join you in dedication to give our babies breastmilk.

Now everyone is different. And my re-lactation try may be different but it's still worth it!

Good luck in your placement. I'm right here with you.

Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for your tips on bottles and pumps, and your encouraging words. It is so nice to know that others have done it and that it works, especially when starting out on what looks like a tough regimen of meds and pumping. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thanks again!

Hi Karie,
Very nice to meet you. I hope that we both make lots of milk and get our babies soon!