Carol brings up an interesting question:

<<Her husband asked me if there's a definitive "best"
time to pump after breastfeeding to optimize milk production.  I usually
recommend pumping after nursing the baby because it takes advantage of the
elevated
prolactin level stimulated by baby at breast.>>


I'd be interested to know if there is definitive research on this question --
I generally do NOT recommend pumping right after nursing the baby unless the
baby has a poor suck and is not effectively removing milk.  If we are working
on the supply = demand principle (autocrine, rather than endocrine control),
then it seems to me that the more milk that is removed, the more that is made.
With an effectively sucking baby, they are going to remove most of the milk
-- and pumping is often discouraging because the mom doesn't get anything -- or
gets maybe a half ounce or so.  Waiting an hour to an hour & a half from the
beginning of the feed seems to be better in optimizing milk production in my
experience.

But I'd certainly love to hear what other people are doing and their
rationale for doing so.  And, of course, if we have research to demonstrate one being
better than the other, that would be best.

Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, RLC
Wheaton, Illinois
www.lactationeducationconsultants.com

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html