Jessica,
I hate those cases!  I want to cry with the moms!  Sadly, I see  them too 
often.  Sometimes for the moms' natural breast structure, but more  often for 
surgical reasons.
 
I tell them the truth, breastfeeding is best, and the milk is only part of  
it.  I explain that in the ideal world they could go to the local milk bank  
and collect the baby's nutritional needs there, but since we don't have that  
option, formula it is.  Yes, they are right, it is not the best choice, but  for 
now it is just our most available choice.  Then we talk about  SNS/LactAid 
use, bottle feeding like a breastfeeding mom to maintain the heart  of 
breastfeeding even if unable to maintain the milk itself.  And we talk  about nursing 
because nursing matters even if the milk is not flowing.  We  talk about even a 
little milk is good, and I listen to them.  I talk about  the difference 
between guilt and grief, the right to mourn the loss of the  breastfeeding they 
expected, etc. 
 
It breaks my heart.  And, I always seem to see one of these moms about  the 
same time I am listening to a mom tell me how much of a bother it is to  
breastfeed, how the baby sleeps so much longer on formula, how much easier it is  
for her and why she wants to wean her 2 week old!  Life is so unfair.
 
Take care,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, RLC
FL, USA

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