I am a 27-year-old married woman. Recently, me and my husband took the decision to adopt a baby and we have started with the formalities of it. But I wanted to know if I will be able to breastfeed my baby even though I will be an adoptive mother? Please answer my query.

Answered by our expert Effath Yasmin, an International Board Certified lactation Consultant.
I have helped many adoptive mothers to start lactating. The simple mechanism is to stimulate your breasts. A biological mother will be able to make milk in her breasts by stimulation – which the baby does.

Adoptive mothers need to plan in advance. They need to start stimulating their breasts much before the baby arrives. This can be done with the help of a breast pump which is easily available in the market these days. The mother needs to recognise which pump is more suitable for her (she can take guidance from a lactation consultant regarding this). But stimulating the breast frequently is the key here so that her breasts can start making milk by the time the baby arrives.