Jeanette,
I wholeheartedly agree that a letter to the local agency is in order.
Would like to mention that my now 19 year old daughter, who breastfed for 5
years, early on indicated a preference for one breast. She went on to nurse
without problems and grew very well. I was a little lopsided though!
I even relactated at 18 months, as I had begun weaning her when she developed
asthma. This was the first time that she ever had problems and I now
attribute it to introducing milks solids to her diet. (My older daughter was extremely
allergic to milk solids (breastfed only 2 months) so should have anticipated
this but didn't.
SO long story short: it is possible to breastfeed using only 1 breast and
providing no supplements.
The "local agency" needs to hear rationale evidence based info that shows
that the advice the nurse gave is not correct.
Nancy Jo Ericksen

> Subj: Providing timely - and correct - information - and regrets
>  Date: 4/26/04 11:45:54 PM Central Daylight Time
>  From: [log in to unmask]
>  Reply-to: [log in to unmask]
>  To: [log in to unmask]
>  Sent from the Internet
>
>
>
> Jennifer Tieman mentioned both how inspiring adoptive breastfeeding can be
> to moms and also how upset mothers can become when they learn they've gotten
> incorrect information.
>
> Just had such a phone call right before reading her message!
>
> Mom has a 5 month old that is nursing only on one side because, she says,
> baby preferred it, and by 2 months she realized it had very little milk -
> she then saw an OB Nurse Practitioner who told her it was "too late" to
> relactate!
>
> Now at 5 months of age, she fears her one breast will be unable to keep up
> with her baby's needs and she got my name from another mom I had helped
> earlier this year.  She called to find out what she could do...
>
> I went over her history and found that baby is growing and doing very well
> on one breast, so I reassured her that it was not necessary to relactate the
> other breast...but she said she wants to, so she has "extra" milk.  She is
> working only 3 hours a day so far, but fears that if she needs to be away
> longer, she won't be able to pump enough milk.
>
> So I explained to her that adoptive moms CAN bring in their milk, and she
> can, too, especially as she has a baby who is nursing.  We went over
> alternatives she can try, such as pumping while baby is at the other breast
> and getting baby to nurse while asleep or "dopey"...
>
> She is going to try these suggestions and will be in contact with our WIC
> office and La Leche League Leader for additional support.
>
> However, she is still feeling very angry about the incorrect information she
> had been given 4 months ago.  Now, I need to cool down overnight and try to
> figure out how to write a letter to the local agency suggesting an "update"
> for their staff, as who knows what else has been dispensed as "professional
> information"?


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