When people hear about surrogacy they automatically assume that breastfeeding will be off the table since the baby was not delivered by an intended mother but fortunately, there are some options that could be applied when it comes to breastfeeding babies born via surrogacy.

* Intended mother can actually breastfeed a baby but it takes a lot time and patience (Under doctor’s supervision). Months prior to your baby’s birth, your doctor can prescribe you hormones, herbal pills and medicines that trick your body as if you are pregnant. As a result, your breasts start producing milk that must be pumped and nursed to the baby later on.

* A gestational carrier, however, is able to nurse the baby she delivers from the moment of the birth. Intended parents and gestational carriers should talk about their thoughts and feelings on nursing early in the pregnancy, so everyone can prepare accordingly. Pumping milk is by far the most common way gestational carriers provide breastmilk to their surrogate babies.  When a gestational carrier pumps milk for her surrogate baby, the intended parents should provide her with a breast pump, milk storage supplies, and reimbursement for any costs such as shipping.  She will pump her milk and store it in her freezer and then send (or deliver, if she lives close enough) the milk in batches. It’s important to note that if the surrogate is exclusively pumping, the amount of colostrum the baby will receive is minimal, because it’s produced in such limited amounts over the first few days. This should not discourage intended parents from accepting pumped milk from their surrogate though, it’s just something to keep in mind.

* The last option is to choose a milk bank and request shipping. At this time, you should pay attention to the paperwork that comes with milk just to make sure its texture and chemicals are safe for the baby.

It does not matter which option you choose, before you start breastfeeding your baby, we encourage you to have an appointment with a doctor.