I do not think you are off the mark. Hand expression mimics better the
real suckling of the child and is usually at least as effective as
anaythink but the big hospital-grade pump. I, for one, hand extracted for
months as I was at work (long hours) away from my exclusively breastfed
baby. The *need a pump* situation reflects the very North-American
discomfort at touching and manipulating intimate body parts, with all the
sexual undertones. That is is *taking on* Malaysia is just another sign
of american commercial imperialism (tongue-in-cheek, I am not serious
here !) that we are also seeing with the spreading of cigarette use and,
God forbid, formula for babies (what does SIN stands for
?). If it is good for 'Mericans, must be good for us, right ?

Louise Denhez, M.D., M.P.H
Montreal, Quebec, Canada