Breast milk is the most powerful liquid on the planet. It aids in brain growth, eye development and provides the baby with the mother's immunities. According to the La Leche League, breastfed babies are less likely to die of SIDS, and breast milk is currently being used in research programs to reverse signs of autism in children.

Now that American women are aware of the many benefits of breast milk, breastfeeding is more popular than ever. But what about women who are about to adopt an infant? Is it still possible for them to offer this precious liquid to their new child?

According to Jack Newman, M.D., author of The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, it is not only possible, but easier than you think to breastfeed an adopted baby. "It is fairly easy, and the chances are you will produce a significant amount of milk," he says. "It is different though than breastfeeding a baby with whom you have been pregnant for many months."

If you are preparing to adopt a baby and considering breastfeeding, there are a few simple steps to follow in order to get your milk flowing.

Two Objectives
"There are really two objectives involved in nursing an adopted baby," Dr. Newman says. "One is getting your baby to breastfeed. The other is producing breast milk." Because of the emotional bonding that occurs between mother and baby, there is far more to breastfeeding that breast milk. A mother holding the baby and sharing her body with her new child is a great way to create a special biological attachment for the mother and infant.

Darilyn Star of Salt Lake City, Utah, has breastfed six adopted babies. Through her many experiences nursing adopted babies she has learned a few tricks to make it easier.

"It is important to always consider the fact that many situations where a baby is targeted for a specific adoptive family do not go through," says Star. "This is a difficult, but a very real fact with adoption. However, I think it is essential for any prospective adoptive mother to consider this in making any decisions about preparations to produce milk in advance."

With Advance Notice
Dr. Newman advises that as soon as you hear of a baby that may become your own, it is important to contact a breastfeeding clinic and begin creating a milk supply. He also warns that an early introduction of bottles may interfere with breastfeeding. "The sooner you can get the baby to the breast after he is born, the better," says Dr. Newman. He suggests that women who have advance warning and know when their baby is coming contact the hospital where the baby will be born and speak with the lactation consultant and let her know she intends to breastfeed the baby.

"They should be willing to accommodate your desire to have the baby fed by cup or finger feeding," Dr. Newman says. "In fact, more and more frequently, arrangements have been made where the adopting mother is present at the birth of the baby and takes the baby immediately to nurse."

Star advises women to prepare their breasts in order to increase the elasticity of the nipple and areola and help decrease excessive sensitivity. "These preparations may also help expedite the onset of milk production, when there is a baby to nurse," she says. "They can also be kept up for an indefinite period of time and increased or decreased at any time, without any adverse effects. These include things like getting accustomed to keeping soap off of the breasts, spending time wearing a nursing bra with the flaps down, doing nipple exercises and using a breast pump for a few minutes at a time, two or three times a day."

Pumping
"Please understand you may never produce a full supply for your baby, though it may happen," says Dr. Newman. "You should not be discouraged by what you may be pumping before the baby is born because a pump is never as good at extracting milk as a baby who is sucking well and well latched. The main purpose of pumping before the baby is born is to start the changes in your breast so that you will produce milk, not to build up a reserve of milk before the baby is born, though this is good if you can do it."

Star believes women can bring in milk by pumping in advance, but it takes patience. "Use galactagogues and pumping with a first rate pump to try to stimulate milk production in advance," she says. "It is important for any mother who takes it on to understand that her body's response to a breast pump may not bear much resemblance to her response to a baby at the breast. Pumping is not likely to result in a significant amount of breast milk, unless she also uses a galactogogue like domperidone."

Star warns mothers that if they are successful at producing a significant amount of milk in advance, they need to have an alternate plan, in case the hoped for placement does not go through. She cautions that pumping must continue to keep the production of milk going and that pumping can't be quickly abandoned without problems such as plugged ducts or mastitis.

Want to see more?

• Breastfeeding After Adoption: You Can Do It!
• Bonding With Your Adopted Baby: 10 Tips
• Adoption Ages and Stages: What to Expect
• Talk about it!