Induced Lactation by Adoptive Mothers: A Case Study

Abstract

Induced lactation is a method of stimulating breast milk, carried out by non-pregnant women. It is an alternative for women who are unable to have children naturally but wish to experience motherhood by adopting. In Islamic laws, breastfeeding by a woman of another person’s child will turn their relationship into that of a mother and her own child. The permissibility in Islamic law of breastfeeding another person’s child has been taken as an alternative way for adoptive Muslim mothers to “mahram”ise (a male/female who is forbidden permanently, forever) (or familiarize) the relationship with that adopted child. The objective of this study is to explore the experience of adoptive mothers who have breastfed their adopted children through the method of induced lactation. This study focuses on the technical aspects, on how an adoptive mother stimulates the production of breast milk despite not having gone through the process of pregnancy. This study uses the qualitative study method. This study interviewed 12 respondents comprising of Muslim females who had successfully nursed their adopted children before the age of two and fulfilled the requirement to nurse the child until he is fully satisfied for five sessions. The semi structured interview technique was carried out over a 6 months period between the years 2012 to 2013. Data analysis discovered that two methods of induced lactation were performed, i.e., hormone simulation and breast stimulation. This study also found two devices used in the process of breast stimulation, which are Supplemental Feeding Device and Breast pump. In summary, the process of induced lactation to nurse an adopted child can be a success with the right method, technique and equipment.