Can I Place my 11-Month-Old for Adoption? [How the Adoption Process Works]

Your circumstances in life don’t prevent you from choosing adoption for your 11-month-old. We can help. Call 1-800-ADOPTION now to learn more or to get started.

• You will get the same care for your adoption as any other birth mother including an adoption plan created specifically for you, 24/7 support and counseling, free legal representation, and more. 

• Our more than 30 years of working with prospective birth parents and adoptive families mean you’ll get experienced adoption professionals working for you to find the perfect home for your child. 

• Adoption is a decision that gives hope for a brighter future for everyone involved, especially your child. 

You can get free support today when you call 1-800-ADOPTION. We are here to help.

Can I “Give Up” my 11-Month-Old for Adoption? 

Deciding that parenting is no longer an option may leave you wondering, “Can I put my 11-month-old up for adoption?”

The answer is always yes and you should know that no matter how old your baby is, adoption will always be a choice you can explore. 

It’s also important to understand that by considering adoption, you are never “giving up” on your child. The choice of adoption is one of love and the desire to give your child the best possible home and environment for growth and development.  

If you have a strong feeling that adoption is the right decision for your 11-month-old, call 1-800-ADOPTION today to receive free information. You’ll be able to speak with a trained adoption professional that can provide invaluable insight into adoption for an 11-month-old. 

What are Some Reasons Women Choose Adoption for an 11-Month-Old?

There are many unique reasons why a woman would consider adoption for her 11-month-old. Here are just a few of the reasons as to why she might make this brave and selfless decision: 

• She doesn’t have enough help financially: Because parenting can be stressful, it’s not uncommon for a woman to turn to adoption due to financial strain. You have to pay for the necessary expenses — like food, clothing, and a safe environment for you and your baby — on top of unexpected life expenses. 

• She wants to pursue her own dreams:  While parenting can be a wonderful and fulfilling experience, having an unplanned pregnancy can cause you to put your passions on hold. Choosing adoption while you continue working toward your goals, whether that’s a dream career or to finish your education may be the best option in order to create a better life for yourself. 

• The birth father might not be involved: All prospective birth mothers have a unique relationship with their baby’s birth father. We hope that all birth fathers are supportive and involved in their child’s life, but that’s not always the case. If you have become a single mother and you’re not sure who to turn to, remember that an adoption is always an option. 

• She wants to provide a better life for her child: Often, our conversations about adoption center on the idea of “giving up” your child. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Women who choose adoption are not “giving up” or “giving away” their babies; they’re making a hard decision out of pure love for their child to give them the best gift of all — a better life. 

There are so many more reasons why a woman would choose adoption. Each one of them is valid and unique.

If you’re considering adoption for an 11-month-old, just remember that you’re never alone and that adoption is always an option for you. 

What Does an Adoption for an 11-Month-Old Look Like with American Adoptions? 

“The most amazing part of it was knowing that you have control [of the adoption process]. When I had both babies, they were mine first. I held them, counted their toes, I took 10 minutes or however long I wanted to smell them, to kiss them, to say goodbye to them. I got to hand them to their moms. That was the most amazing thing in the world — to see this woman become a mom for the first time… You literally have given someone the biggest gift you could possibly give.” 

Birth mothers like Jocelyn discover that adoption is a decision of love, joy and hope for the future. Not only does a child find a loving adoptive family, but she can continue on in her life working towards goals while feeling confident her child is living his or her best life. Additionally, a hopeful adoptive family is given the chance to live out their dream of growing a family.  

Many of our adoption professionals are adoptees, have adopted or have placed a child for adoption, giving us a unique, first-hand perspective of the adoption process and how it can be life-changing for you, too. 

Whether you’re placing a newborn, or considering adoption for an 11-month-old, the process is very similar, with just a few differences: 

Step 1: Contact American Adoptions and make a plan. You’ll start by calling 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist.

At that point, you’ll be able to fill out a social and medical history form for yourself and your baby. This will give your adoption specialist a good understanding of your situation. You’ll also create your adoption plan, which will explain your preferences in an adoptive family, your open adoption relationship and more. 

In addition to this important information, your adoption specialist will also ask you for: 

• A copy of your child’s birth certificate 

• Who is listed as the father on your child’s birth certificate 

• Medical records for your child 

• Information on where the child has lived from birth to present 

• Who has had custody or care of the child from birth to present 

• Information on who has provided financial and emotional support for this child from birth to present 

• Documentation of child support from any father 

Step 2: Choose adoptive parents. Once your adoption specialist has a good understanding of your needs, you’ll be sent a list of different adoptive family profiles to look through. This process can take some time, so don’t worry if you don’t find a family right away. 

Step 3: Get to know the adoptive family and lay the foundation for open adoption. Once you’ve found the right family for your baby, you’ll start getting to know each other through pre-placement contact. This may include phone calls, email and whatever forms of contact you’re most comfortable with, as well as in-person visits to help your baby transition.

After you’ve gotten to know each other, you’ll then decide the amount of contact you’d like to have after the adoption. Contact is determined on a scale of openness, so you can have as much or as little as you’d like. 

Step 4: Legally place your baby for adoption. After everything is ready, you’ll be able to complete your adoption paperwork. Your adoption specialist and adoption attorney will make sure you understand all of your legal rights in adoption before you sign. 

Remember, it’s never too late to choose adoption. 

Get More Information on Placing an 11-Month-Old for Adoption  

If you have any additional questions, contact Michelle, a birth parent specialist and a birth parent herself, who is ready to answer any questions you have about putting an 11-month-old up for adoption.         

“I am available to answer any questions that arise, particularly from birth moms, as I have been in your shoes and know how you are feeling,” Michelle said. “It was most helpful to me when I had someone to talk to who would just listen to me without making any judgments or conclusions about who I was as a person.”         

You can ask Michelle questions about the adoption process online. You can also call us at 1-800-ADOPTION, or get free information with our online contact form for prospective birth mothers considering adoption here. Adoptive families wanting more information on adopting a child can click here to get more information. 

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