---- LACTNET automatic digest system <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> There are 7 messages totalling 358 lines in this issue.
> 
> Topics in this special issue:
> >
> > Mom had been stockpiling some milk because she is going back to  
> > work next
> > week.  I believe that one of the reasons why her milk supply had  
> > decreased
> > is that during many feedings she was breastfeeding on one breast  
> > and pumping
> > the other so that she would have some milk stored up in preparation  
> > for
> > going back to work.  What she didn't realize when she started this  
> > routine
> > is that her milk supply was not sufficient to both feed the baby  
> > and stock
> > the frig.  And, as a result, the pumping may not have been as  
> > effective as
> > the baby so her milk supply decreased. > >
> 


> I have a question about this.  I feel like I may have routinely been  
> giving out poor information to mothers planning to work outside of  
> the home and want to understand and get my information straight.
> 
> My usual suggestion to a typical mother who is planning on going back  
> to work after her typical US maternity leave ( 6-8 weeks - we won't  
> go there now ;->) is to focus on getting breastfeeding going well and  
> enjoy her baby for at least the first two weeks.  After that, if  
> everything is going well, and she can coordinate it, I suggest that  
> she can pump on one side while she feeds the baby on the other.
> 
>

I questioned this too. I also often suggest a mother pump on one breast while BF baby on the other to save time if she feels able and would like to do it. 

I don't understand how it would decrease production; would think the increased milk removal should result in greater production within a very short time. We know many women with twins and triplets can fully BF if all babies are able to BF effectively; production increases related to "demand" via milk removal. And there is research that supports double pumping (at least post-lactogenesis II) as resulting in greater overall milk volume than serial/single-sided pumping. Would think this akin to direct BF on one breast while using a breast pump for the other breast...

Karen

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