Breastfeeding was not always a popular choice among mothers for feeding newborns thanks to the many taboos associated with it. It was medically discouraged and the sneers from society didn’t help either. This is where the act of breastfeeding is restricted. But thanks to the rise of science and medicine today, breastfeeding has emerged to epitomise the gold standard for infant nutrition. Today breastfeeding has become a privilege that very few infants have access to. And breastfeeding an adopted child has become a norm too.
Breastfeeding is hailed for the fact that it consists of everything that the baby requires. It is rich in essential vitamins, nutrients and antibodies for the baby to fight any diseases that may come its way. It is one of the best preventive measures a mother can take to ensure her baby’s safety. So what is stopping mothers from breastfeeding? Well, here is a fact: breastfeeding is a privilege that only a few mothers possess.
Why is breastfeeding a privilege?
Breastfeeding is definitely not a cakewalk. Sore nipples, breast engorgement and improper latching can make breastfeeding a tedious task. Add to that a lack of awareness and education about breastfeeding, lack of paid maternity leaves that restrict round-the-clock breastfeeding, lack of mother-friendly facilities at the workplace and finally lack of income to facilitate breastfeeding with a breast pump. All these ‘lack of’s hinder a woman’s attempt to breastfeed her child for a minimum of 6 months. Breastfeeding requires the right resources, ability and access. Without these, breastfeeding is just a privilege easily available to wealthy women who have it easy.
Turning back in time
Don’t be amazed and scorn at the mothers who do not or cannot breastfeed. Breastfeeding was not very popular in the past too. In 18th century America, upper-class households used to employ wet nurses to feed their children. These wet nurses were often African-American women whose infants had died or those who were nursing their own children. Sometimes African-American women neglected their own children to feed the infants of rich households for money. When there was a lack of wet nurses, mothers still refused to breastfeed their children and went ahead with cooked foods or animal milk despite the doctors’ advice. This resulted in a high infant mortality rate as a result of infection or malnutrition.
Come the 19th century, many women became socially and politically active due to which they were not with their babies for most of the day. These babies were left with their caregivers who could not breastfeed them. Once again the death rate among infants rose as they were fed in unsanitary conditions.
With the turn of the 20th century, the concept of breastfeeding was scrutinised under scientific glasses as a way to decrease the infant mortality rate. Health officials urged mothers to breastfeed which resulted in many women from upper and middle class taking up breastfeeding. However, some mothers still preferred alternatives to breastfeeding. And enter infant formula manufacturers! By the 1950s, infant formula manufacturers had swept the nation with intense marketing of bottled milk over breastmilk. People who could afford the formula and baby bottles switched to bottle feeding at the drop of a hat. Once again, breastfeeding became a symbol of poverty.
Breastfeeding slowly started to gain prominence for good when the effects of breastfeeding and breastmilk began to be studied scientifically with the backing of feminist-inspired movements vouching for breastfeeding. The research pointed out all the physical and psychological effects of breastfeeding on both mother and child as the world knows today. The “Breast Is Best” campaign was born in the late 1990s which finally put breastfeeding in a good light.
Despite all the ups and downs breastfeeding had to go through, it is still a privilege for many. Public breastfeeding is shunned and just maternity laws are minimal. To add to the taboo of it, how does breastfeeding an adopted child sound?
Breastfeeding an adopted child
Breastfeeding for sure is something that a woman looks forward to because it is one of those closest experiences to the heart that she wouldn’t trade for the world. But what if a woman has to nurture a life without being a biological mom to the baby? Is it possible without ever being pregnant?
Yes, a woman can breastfeed a baby even without ever being pregnant or even if she has reached menopause. Breastfeeding an adopted child is way different than breastfeeding a baby after being pregnant, but it can be achieved through the process of induced lactation. There are diverse ways that can be explored to induce lactation.
Betting on milk production
If a woman wishes to produce enough milk for her baby, then she might have to adjust her expectations because establishing a constant milk supply isn’t a piece of cake. It may not happen right away but eventually, she’ll get there.
While for many providing ample milk would be the primary concern and a goal, the quality of the milk alone is not the only reason why a foster mother gets to breastfeed an adopted baby.
Milk production is unique and varies from not only woman to woman but also baby to baby. And there’s no chance to know ahead of time how much milk the mother will be able to produce. But what one needs to remember is that the amount of milk whether less or more is tailor-made for the baby. This is exactly why one needs to focus on the breastfeeding relationship with her baby than just getting worried and tensed about the quantity of milk.
Connection matters
The physical connection and contact of breastfeeding are instrumental for the mother and the child, especially in the case of an adopted child. The babies usually recognise their mother at birth and will give a certain “ separation distress cry/call” as an appeal for a reunion with the mom.
Maternal separation is quite stressful for the babies which is why immense affection must be shown to the baby if he/she is adopted. The adopted babies tend to experience trauma as a result of immediate separation from their birth mothers. To relieve the babies of their trauma and to achieve increased attachment between the foster mother and the adopted child, skin to skin contact is necessary. Some adopted babies tend to look right in the eyes of their adopted mother while breastfeeding to establish familiarity through eye contact. This lays the foundation for a deep connection.
This unique bonding experience can stabilise the temperature and regulate the heart rate of the baby while the mother benefits from easier breastfeeding, increased production of milk and an increase in the release of oxytocin. Overall, the mother and baby will be on cloud nine with positive psychological effects from breastfeeding.
Lactation prep for the baby
- Stimulate the breasts by hand or by pump for several weeks or maybe months before the baby arrives.
- Combining hand expression along with breast massage and pumping can be effective in increasing milk production and it may even result in firmer breasts.
- A supplementer can be used as well since it has dual benefits: the baby gets the nourishment and the mother gets her breast stimulated well.
Remember that there would be variation in treatments since every woman will have individual and unique needs.
Apart from this, it is also important that the mother finds the child her own and gives him/her the same warmth and love that she would have given to her biological child. It is so because the child is innocent and if he/she feels any sort of neglect or a vibe that gives them the signal that the mother isn’t happy with him/her, the baby will refuse to get breastfed and it will adversely impact the baby’s health. The mother should mandatorily build up a close bond with the baby, making it feel comfortable with her. This can be done by spending time lying down with the baby having skin to skin touch, frequently carrying the baby, sleeping near the baby and maybe taking baths together as well. After all, what matters is that there is a strong connection between the mother and the child, adopted or not.
Society must encourage such noble deeds and pave ways to provide essential privileges to all the new moms out there. This Breastfeeding Week, let’s raise a glass to all mothers: breastfeeding or not. Breastfeeding is a right of the child, but a privilege for most mothers. Breastfeeding is not taboo and is a healthy way of feeding any infant. Thanks to Breastfeeding Week, we can finally educate ourselves on the importance and need for breastfeeding and pave the way for ‘a healthier planet’. This is for today and tomorrow.
