Re: pumping patterns -- show me the research this doesn't work.

[Guest guest]

Wow, I wonder then how the over 4000 mothers I've assisted with pumping to

improve their milk supply managed to increase their supply on the plan of

removing milk right after feeding? Gee - I guess those 4,000 mothers were an

anomally.

Sorry, but the reasoning is flawed in that it assumes the babies is competent in

removing milk. Since most of the babies I've seen have already been given

formula they are NOT removing enough milk -- their breasts are not being

drained. The reason why pumping after feeding works is because the pumping

finishes the draining that babies cannot do it. If the breasts are not being

drained adequately 8 times per day -- pumping can finish the job of draining the

breast 8 times per day. Before leaping to the assumption that the baby is doing

the job, lactation consultants should assess intake.

When I have used the pumping one hour afterwards it is for situations that

include insufficient glandular tissue or mothers who do not respond well to the

pump. It is very case specific. I would say that I've done this with about

five mothers and these were mothers that always had a marginal supply even after

many OTHER interventions coupled with power pumping.

I'm also seeing lots of " refugees " from the pump an hour afterwards plan because

many mothers canNOT sustain this plan. This is one of those good in theory, but

often not pragmatic plans that may work in special circumstances but I find it

does not work for the vast majority of mothers who need to express milk because

of either iatrogenically induced problems in the hospital or oral anatomical

issues. Guess I'm going to start seeing more refugees in my groups now.

Sincerely, E. Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC

[Guest guest]

wrote: "I'm also seeing lots of "refugees" from the pump an hour afterwards plan because many mothers canNOT sustain this plan. This is one of those good in theory, but often not pragmatic plans that may work in special circumstances but I find it does not work for the vast majority of mothers who need to express milk because of either iatrogenically induced problems in the hospital or oral anatomical issues. Guess I'm going to start seeing more refugees in my groups now."

I totally agree, . Moms burn out so quickly with these plans. Every time she turns around, she has to stop and think how soon is the next feeding or pumping. Can I take a shower? No, baby will wake in 20 minutes, and I don't want to sit with a wet head to nurse him. Can I run to Wal-Mart for more formula? No, he's done eating, but I can't get to Wal-Mart, buy what I need and get back in time to pump. And if I hold off the pumping to go to W-M, then there won't be as much milk in the breasts when the baby gets hungry. I'd better not go to W-M right now. And on and on and on, throughout the day, constantly thinking of the next feeding demand. Moms simply can't do it. They go crazy and either go to pumping and bottle-feeding, or even worse, just go straight to formula. Optimum for milk supply is often *not* optimum for living life. We have to keep mom's sanity in

mind with any plan we suggest.

Dee Kassing