Feeling like you don’t want your baby anymore? You’re not the first person to feel this way—and there’s a path forward.

Maybe the overwhelm hit you all at once, or maybe it’s been building for weeks. Either way, you need real answers and real support.

The good news? You have safe, legal options that can create a better future for both you and your baby.

Reach out today by filling out our form or calling 1-800-ADOPTION for immediate support and what you need to know to start the adoption process.

I Don’t Want My Baby Anymore — What Can I Do?

You’re not alone in how you’re feeling, and nothing is wrong with you for thinking this way.

There are many reasons you might feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure about parenting right now—and every single one of those feelings is valid.

Here’s what you can consider:

  • Adoption: You get to pick a loving family for your baby and create an adoption plan that works for you. With adoption, you’ll get financial assistance, free counseling, and you can stay in touch with your child through open adoption if that’s what feels right.
  • Temporary Legal Guardianship: If you just need some time to get back on your feet, you might be able to have someone you trust take care of your baby temporarily while you figure things out.
  • Respite Foster Care: Some states have short-term foster care that can give you some breathing room during a crisis.

Can You Choose Adoption After Birth?

Yes, you absolutely can. Lots of birth mothers choose adoption after birth—some at the hospital, some after they’ve taken the baby home. You’re not too late.

How post-birth adoption works depends on where you live. Some states have waiting periods, while others let you move forward pretty quickly.

When you choose adoption before birth, you have more time to look through adoptive family profiles and get ready emotionally.

When you choose adoption after birth, things move faster. You still get to pick the family, get counseling, and decide what kind of relationship you want through open adoption. The timeline is just quicker because your baby’s already here.

Adoption is always an option, even now. We can help you understand exactly how that looks for you.

I’m Struggling to Bond With My Baby—Is Something Wrong With Me?

No. Nothing’s wrong with you.

Not bonding with your baby happens more than you’d think. Postpartum emotions are messy and unpredictable. Some moms feel connected right away. Others don’t. Both are completely normal.

What you’re going through could be postpartum depression, anxiety, exhaustion, or just the shock of your whole world changing overnight. Being honest about it is the first step toward getting help.

Your adoption specialist at American Adoptions is here whenever you need them—even at 2 a.m. You don’t have to be sure about adoption to call.

Here are some other places that might help:

  • Postpartum Support International (PSI): Helpline and support groups for postpartum mental health.
  • Local Therapy: A therapist who specializes in postpartum issues can help.
  • Your Friends and Family: The people who know you best can give you support.
  • Your Doctor: They can check for postpartum depression and connect you with treatment.

You don’t have to do this by yourself.

I Can’t Take Care of My Baby—What Are My Options?

If you feel like you can’t take care of your baby, you’ve got two main options: parenting with support, or choosing adoption.

Adoption

Here’s the thing about adoption: you stay in control.

You decide what your adoption looks like—from choosing the perfect family to determining how much contact you want after placement.

And while you’re making those decisions, you’ll have comprehensive support every step of the way. Financial help. Counseling. Guidance. Everything you need to move forward with confidence.

Here’s what that looks like:

  • 24/7 Free Counseling — Someone to talk to, day or night
  • Financial Assistance — Help with rent, groceries, and bills during your pregnancy
  • Choosing a loving and stable family— You choose the adoptive family you feel is right for your baby
  • Open Adoption Options — Stay connected with your child if that’s what you want
  • Support That Doesn’t End — We’re here for you long after placement

For a lot of birth mothers, adoption is about giving their baby the life they want them to have, even when they can’t provide it themselves right now.

Parenting with Support

If you want to keep parenting but feel overwhelmed, there’s help:

  • WIC: Helps with food and healthcare for moms and babies.
  • TANF: Financial help for families.
  • Childcare Assistance: Many states help pay for childcare.
  • Parenting Support Groups: Connect with other parents who understand.
  • 211 Helpline: Dial 211 for local housing, food, and healthcare resources.

Both parenting and adoption are real choices. Only you know what’s right for you.

What Is the Difference Between Safe Haven and Adoption?

Safe Haven laws let you leave your baby anonymously at certain places without legal trouble. But you don’t get to choose who raises your baby, you’ll never know where they end up, and you won’t get financial help or counseling.

Adoption gives you control. You pick the family, you can set up an open adoption to stay in touch, you get financial help and free counseling, and you have legal protections.

If you want any say in your baby’s future and want support, adoption gives you much more autonomy than Safe Haven.

You Can Give Your Baby the Best Life Possible When You Choose Adoption

Open adoption makes things better for everyone—your baby, the adoptive family, and you.

Your child grows up in a stable home with parents who are ready to give them everything they need. Through open adoption, your child knows their story and can stay connected to their birth family.

You’re not disappearing—you’re staying connected through letters, photos, calls, or visits. You decide what you’re comfortable with. Studies show birth mothers who keep in touch feel better about their adoption decision.

How the Adoption Process Works If You Already Have a Baby

  • Step 1: Contact Us: Call, text, or fill out a form. We’ll answer your questions with no pressure or judgment.
  • Step 2: Create an Adoption Plan: Work with an adoption specialist to put together a plan that feels right.
  • Step 3: Choose an Adoptive Family: Look through profiles and pick the family that feels like the right fit.
  • Step 4: Receive Financial Assistance: Get help with rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation based on your state’s laws.
  • Step 5: Post-Placement Life: Access ongoing counseling and support. Build your relationship with your child’s family if you chose open adoption.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Whatever you’re feeling right now—overwhelmed, uncertain, or maybe just exhausted—it’s valid. And you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

Whether adoption feels like the right path or you’re still exploring your options, we’re here to walk alongside you. No pressure. No judgment. Just real support, whenever you need it.

Ready to talk? We’re ready to listen. Connect with an adoption specialist today.