Well this is a very difficult thread for me. My job would be so simple, I think, if I really accepted mother where she is and go with that. So many say "I want to do breast and bottle" and end up totally on the bottle in 2 weeks. Many say "I'm going to start breastfeeding when I get home." Yesterday a mother wanted to pump milk for her baby for 6 months and was using an Evenflow pump. It was working well for her that day. Many babies are not really latched on but often mothers tell me they are latching fine. I am not a pushy person who badgers mothers to nurse more or stop using formula, but, yes, I do encourage mothers to consider what the effect of mixed feeding will have on their bf longevity. In certain situations, I do feel compelled to give mothers info about pumps when they are using an Evenflow pump and feel it is a good pump and works for them right now. If I was a lactation consultant in private practice, which I was at one time, then the mother is paying me to get her to whatever her goal is. I think I would approach things differently. But in the hospital, I feel a large part of my job is basic education, and I find most mothers do not even have the most basic of information about breastfeeding. Now, sometimes there will be a mother who says she is going to breast and bottle feed and has done so with her 2 previous babies. Generally I don't "interfere" with her plan. I guess it's mostly the new mothers that I feel obliged to give more information to. I also feel compelled, and I do, give mothers information about smoking effects and how to minimize these effects and I ask mothers to try to quit smoking and I give them the info on programs to quit smoking. One can be polite and respectful giving any and all of this information and help.
Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN Mississippi, s.e. USA 
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