>Greetings from IN,
>I have a question from a first time Mom. She is having a problem with getting
>enough milk from trying to pump. She says she is only getting maybe an ounce
>or two at the most when she tries to pump using an electric Evenflo pump.

As others have said, this is a truly terrible pump IMHO and she is
doing pretty good to get an ounce or two with it!  She may want to
learn the art of hand-expression or obtain a better-quality pump, ie
Avent, Medela, or Ameda/Egnell.

>  She
>has a two month old baby. She is with baby full time but wants to start
>getting some bottles together for wanting to just get out a night or two here
>and there. She is discouraged with pumping.

An ounce or two here and there is actually a respectable amount for a
mom who is expressing *in addition* to full nursing (not in lieu of
feeds).  Two or three such sessions will provide enough to feed baby
for an evening away from mom.

>  When should she try to pump when
>she is on a full time nursing schedule (baby nursing every 3 -4 hours during
>day and a couple of feedings at night).?

Hm, is "schedule" the operative word here?  In my breastfeeding
world, a 2 month old feeds a lot more frequently than every 3-4
hours!.  At any rate, it would probably work well for her to pump an
hour or hour and a half after her baby nurses, aiming for the halfway
point between feedings.  If she consistently does this at certain
times of the day, her supply should respond accordingly.  She may
want to pick one or two target times for pumping each day so her body
can adjust to making more milk at those times.

>  And then she wants to know how bad
>would it be to introduce formula? This baby has never had any other milk but
>breast milk.

Kudos to the mom for exclusive bf thus far!

>  I read in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding page 90 that "even
>one bottle of formula may upset the balance of enzymes and nutrients in the
>digestive system and interfere with the protective qualities your milk
>provides". How much should I discourage her from introducing formula?

Is she asking about this in regards to an occasional evening out?  Or
are we talking in general?  I would want to find out what her goals
are for breastfeeding.  If she's still just thinking of a few hours
away from baby once a week or so, her pumped amounts should more than
suffice.  Or is she thinking that it would be nice to give a bottle
other times too?  There are excellent reasons to avoid formula.
Marsha Walker has a very nice, referenced resource on this titled
"Supplementation of the Breastfed Baby: 'Just One Bottle Won't
Hurt'---or Will It?" which as of last year she was willing to email
as an attachment to anyone who asked.  Marsha, does that offer still
stand?

It can be hard to provide information on the hazards of formula
without seeming too "radical" to the mom.  Mainstream parenting mags
almost never say anything bad about formula, so people can react with
shock and disbelief.  This is where the LLL approach of "giving
information, not advice" is very helpful.  You provide the facts in
as pleasant and neutral a manner as possible, and leave the decision
to the mother.

>  It
>seems like I should know the answer to these questions but I do not. Please
>post to me off list as I am "No Mail" at this time.
>Tammie Gregory, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Soon to Certified Doula

Warmly,
Margaret
Longmont, CO

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