adoption

As a professional writer and editor, I know how much work it is to write a book -- so I hate to say "This is a lousy book" when the author has obviously made an honest effort to share her knowledge in writing. That said, I'll go ahead and say "This is a lousy book." Maybe it was once the best book on adoptive breastfeeding because it was the only book on adoptive breastfeeding, but now there are better -- much better -- sources of information for women who want to breastfeed their adopted babies.

Briefly, what's wrong with this book? It's so poorly written that it's often hard to tell what the author is trying to say. It seems to draw primariy from the author's personal experiences with adoptive breastfeeding; it certainly doesn't present the wide range of women's experiences (both positive experiences and problems/solutions) in nursing adopted babies. The information on drugs and hormones for inducing lactation is out-of-date, negative, and discouraging. In the chapter on nursing supplementers, both the Medela SNS and the Lact-Aid are mentioned, but all the information and instructions given are actually about the SNS (and the author doesn't tell you this) -- though the Lact-Aid is a much better supplementer than the SNS (just ask adoptive moms who've tried both).

I breastfed my first adopted baby and am preparing to breastfeed my second, so from somebody who's "been there" -- Here's what you need for the best adoptive breastfeeding experience: (1) A well-researched program of hormones etc. to "get your breasts in gear" so you can make lots of milk for your baby. Best information is found on the "four friends" adoptive breastfeeding website. (Read this now, even if your baby is months away.) (2) The best nursing supplementer available. Go to the Lact-Aid website. (3) Dr. Jack Newman's book "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers". (4) Your local La Leche League. (5) Household help (friends, family, or hired) so you can "do nothing but baby" for the first three or four months. (Be sure you get only people who think adoptive breastfeeding is a wonderful idea -- shoo anybody who's negative out the door!)

This is an excellent book that covers many different areas of breastfeeding the adopted baby. Although I have decided not to do so, this book would really help someone who chooses to breastfeed. It would even be a good book for anyone that is having trouble breastfeeding their biological child. It does seem a little repetitive and disorganized, but that is minor compared with the fact that it is a much-needed resource!

As an adoptive parent who nursed her newborn, I have looked everywhere for any information on it. I was sorely disappointed in the lack of information and support that I was able to find on adoptive breastfeeding...until I got this book. As a childbirth educator and doula, I do volenteer work for a shelter in which I deal with adoption quite a lot...I recommend this book whenever I work with an adoptive parent wanting to nurse her baby. This is the best book on adoptive breastfeeding that I am aware of. --Stephanie Soderblom CD(DONA) ICD