Sometimes love comes easy. Other times, it must be earned. This is the story of how I let go of my preconceived ideas about bonding and motherhood and became brave enough to trust my heart.
“What If?”
What if I don’t love this child the same as I love the others? This question is probably every pre-adoptive parent’s most secret worry. Here are the words that reassured me.
Share Your Story: Domestic Adoption and Attachment
We asked our readers: Before your adoption, were you concerned about bonding with your baby? After your newborn came home, what parenting techniques did you practice that enhanced attachment?
Ten Questions to Ask Pediatricians
When you’re in the process of adopting an infant, there are things you should know about your potential pediatrician. Start with these top queries.
First Aid Kit Essentials
One thing about parenthood is practically guaranteed. If your new baby gets sick, it will be in the middle of the night…in a snowstorm. Be prepared with these must-have items.
“Adopting From Russia…Again?”
One thing led to another, and we became—unexpectedly—twice blessed.
Sharing Our Children
“Adoptive families get to know their children for who they are, something that biological families usually don’t do,” says the author.
What You Need To Know To Breastfeed Your Baby
Few adoptive mothers will tell you that nursing is easy, but almost all will say it’s worth the effort.
Parent-to-Parent: Sleep Problems
We asked our readers, “What sleep problems did you encounter after you adopted your child, and how did you handle them?” Here’s what they said.
The Diaper Wars
There’s no one best diaper for baby. Just choose the one that suits your style.
Help Your Child Sleep Through the Night
Waking in the night is very common and can have many causes.
Ask AF: Would Calling Day Care Workers “Auntie” Confuse an Adopted Child?
A parent solicits opinions about a day care that encourages the children to call the employees “Auntie” and the other children “brothers and sisters.”
Adoptive Breastfeeding with Supplemental Nursing
One mother shares the special memories she has of bonding with her child during breastfeeding, and the book that helped her figure it out.
Bonding with Baby
“We found that using massage techniques helped our child relax and eased the transition from an orphanage setting to that of a loving family.”
Into the Safety of Our Hearts from Hard Places
Years of working with at-risk adopted children have taught us powerful truths about how to forge a strong parent-child connection. When children have experienced maltreatment or neglect prior to adoption, the idea of family may be confusing to them.
Ask the Doctor: How Do I Feed My Newborn?
Everything you need to know about bonding with and nourishing your child during feeding times, from an adoption medicine expert.
Baby Safety Tips
Take steps to babyproof your home now—before your baby is able to get into trouble.
Ask AF: Attachment to One Parent
The two-year-old we’ve adopted lived with her birth mother, and had never been around men before. She wants nothing to do with my husband, which hurts him greatly.
Nourishing Beyond Growth Charts
How to assess a newly adopted child’s nutritional status and get a malnourished child’s growth on track.
Deborah Gray on Attachment
Adoptive Families sat down for a Q&A with attachment guru Deborah Gray. When will a parent know a bond is in place? How can working parents solidify their connection with a newly adopted child? We asked these questions and more.