There's a big difference between having a pump station come to a class to
talk about pumps, and simply answering someone's questions in class about
pumping.

In the 10 years I've been teaching prenatal bf classes, I haven't had ONE
where someone didn't want to know about pumps!  We tried all the different
tactics: added an extra hour to our 2-hour class, that working moms could
stay for (their eyes glazed over after about 20 minutes, and all then
complained class was too long).  Then we tried an extra 1-hour class the week
following the regular class, & offered it for both prenatal and postpartum
moms (virtually no one signed up, ended up cancelling for lack of interest).
 Then we tried advertising a 2-hour "back to work" class just for moms 2-4
weeks postpartum.  Couldn't get them to  come back in for it.  And we were
distressed at the number of people coming in to deliver who had already
bought or been given a grocery-store pump, & didn't want to spend any more
money for a "real" pump.

What has finally worked is that we schedule our class as a 2-hour class, but
I come expecting to work up to 3 hours.  Then when the inevitable questions
about pumps and working arise, I explain that this class is to help get bf
off to the right start, and if moms don't succeed at bf in the first few
weeks, the pump issue is moot.  So I emphasize that, for the 2 hours, our
focus will be on what they need to know to succeed at bf, and then I say,
"but if you're willing to stay after class for a few minutes, I will be happy
to give you a few tips--and handouts--to help you begin to think about your
work situation."

Almost everybody agrees to this, & they hold their questions for the "after
class" session.  In that session (which I try to keep to under 30 minutes) I
cover these major points:

1.  Negotiating back to work date to get past 6-week growth spurt, and to try
to start back part-time (even just taking Wednesdays off if they work
Mon-Fri, they're only at work for 2 days before they get a day off to regroup
& recharge milk supply).  I also suggest, at the very least, that they start
back to work on a Thursday, so they have only 2 days to deal with their first
week back.

2.  Discussing options with child-care worker:  having baby brought to work
to bf at least once during day, going to baby on lunch hour to bf, giving
minimal feeds before mom due home, etc.  Gets them thinking about the whole
range of feeding options.  I also mention reverse-cycle nursing.  I also warn
those using a public daycare facility to confirm that the workers will feed
breastmilk, since some places still treat it like other "body fluids" & don't
want to handle it.

3.  If they are going to have to express milk away from the baby (regardless
of method used), I suggest that they begin to "train" their bodies to release
milk to whatever pump (or hand!) they will be using:  Basically, they need to
fool their bodies into thinking that the pump is as good as the baby, so
letdown can occur.  I ask them to think about the sensory ways we "know" to
letdown milk, and how to mimic them when away from the baby--sense of sight,
use a picture of the baby (and START by looking at the picture WHILE
BREASTFEEDING a few weeks before returning to work); sense of hearing, listen
to a relaxing tape (perhaps one with the sounds of water flowing?!) WHILE BF,
and then listen to same tape at work; sense of smell, nuzzle baby blanket
w/baby's special scent WHILE BF, and then use as cover-up while pumping &
nuzzle it then; sense of taste, sip favorite drink WHILE BF and then at work;
sense of touch, do brief breast/nipple massage BEFORE BF and before
pumping--while looking @ picture of baby, listening to music, sipping on
drink & nuzzling blanket!  Usually, by the time they put pump to breast, milk
is dripping, & it almost doesn't matter what device they use!

4.  Finally, I show them an example of each of the following: hand
expression, manual pump, battery operated, mini-electric, hospital grade, &
PNS.  I have them think about how much use they'll need to get out of a pump,
& consider that when shopping--that is, if they're only going to work 1 or 2
days/week, they could do with hand expression or a manual pump, but if
they're working 30+ hours/week, they'll probably appreciate the convenience
of the bigger electrics.  I warn them NOT to purchase pumps from grocery,
baby or discount stores.  ("Who makes the pumps you've seen at the store?
What else do they make?  That's right! Baby food and formula!  Do you really
believe they WANT you to succeed at bf?  How well do you think those pumps
work?")  I advise them to go to medical supply stores or pump rental
stations.  Since our hospital has an exclusive contract with one pump
company, I suggest that they check out one or two other places/brands before
they decide, & if they like "our" brand they can compare our prices with the
other places before buying.

I also have much of this info in a one-page handout, so they can refer to it
weeks later when they REALLY need the info.

I've been using this tactic for the last few years, & it seems to be the best
compromise.  I've also joked that I should publish these ideas, but never got
around to putting it all down on paper--until now.  What d'ya think?  Would
JHL use this?

Smiles,

Carol