Pareticia Ellis wrote:
"A side note--I am sure you other renters do the same, but when I get that
 call that says "I want to rent a breast pump", I start with the questions
 because this is the red flag to self-diagnosis for me, and I want to be sure
 that I fully understand what they want and need.  They may indeed need a
 pump, but I am not a revolving door, and I need to know the whole picture
 before I rent. It would be quicker to just say o.k., but there is always so
 much more going on than they let on at first."

Patricia,
I used to rent/sell pumps, b/c it was the only way my peer counseling program clients could get pumps. I kept them for awhile after that, but one day my dh asked me if my only purpose in having my number available for this purpose was so I could talk moms out of them. I returned them years ago, but am disturbed that in my area most pumps are happily rented out at pharmacies where there is no screening and no teaching going on.

" I do not see myself as primarily a pump source, but rather a breastfeeding
 resource who uses pumps as tools when needed.  Even pumps can give an
 undermining message to the mom who is having difficulty with breastfeeding,
 and should be used judiciously and when truly necessary.  There is a new
 wave out there that believes that pumping and feeding breastmilk from a
 bottle is a whole lot easier than actually putting the baby to breast, and I
 am sad about this cultural phenomenon."

Yes, I agree. I am not a fan of pumps being marketed directly to mothers anymore than I am of other inappropriate marketing. I think it is the rare mom who actually gets the right pump for her needs (assuming she really needs one at all).
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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