Roughly 18,000 infants are adopted every year in the United States. Are you getting ready to adopt a baby girl of your own?

Adopting a baby is so exciting! That said, there are some things you should know and consider before you make anything official. 

We’re here to talk about a few of those things so you’re better prepared for your new daughter.

1. Assess Your Readiness

Assess your emotional, physical, and financial readiness to become parents to a new little girl before you make any serious commitments. Even if you already have a child, you need to check in with yourself before adding to your family.

Parenthood requires patience and flexibility, as well as a willingness to prioritize the needs of your new daughter above your own. You’re adopting a baby, but you’ll be raising a person. You need to be ready for a baby girl, a child, a teenage girl, a young woman, and beyond, as well as all of the challenges that come with each of those stages.

2. Consider Open vs. Closed Adoption

Do you know the difference between different types of adoption plans? You’ll be making many decisions during your adoption journey, and this is a big one. 

Would you prefer an open adoption, where birth parents have ongoing contact with the child and adoptive family? Would you prefer a closed adoption, where contact is limited or nonexistent? Are you open to this adoption plan changing if circumstances change? 

There is research to support both types of adoptions, and often the situations dictate what the best choice is. It’s important not to take this lightly. 

3. Study Adoption Related-Issues

As a soon-to-be adoptive parent of a little girl, it’s important to educate yourself about adoption-related topics. These include things such as attachment, identity, and transracial adoption (if applicable). Listen to stories from adoptees to learn about the challenges that pertain to them. 

Attend adoption workshops, support groups, or counseling sessions if they’re available to you. They’ll provide insight into the adoption experience and help you prepare for the unique challenges and joys of adopting a little girl.

4. Be Open to Support

Post-adoption support is crucial, both for you as the adoptive parent and for your new daughter.

For you, you may want to look into counseling, especially if your family already includes other children. This can help your children accept their new sister warmly into the family. You should also look into support groups for parents of adoptees (as well as general parenting support groups). 

As your child gets older, she may also require extra support. Connecting with other adoptive parents with similarly-aged children (especially daughters) will provide your daughter with a built-in network of other people who understand her as she gets older.

Are You Ready to Adopt a Baby Girl? 

Making the decision to adopt a baby girl is so exciting! If you’re ready to take this journey, keep these things in mind so you and your new daughter can thrive together for a lifetime. 

At Heart of Adoptions, we love placing children with their new parents and creating fantastic family matches. If you’re hoping to adopt, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to start the process today.