Hi all,
Pam from Zimbabwe writes;
>>I also observe several things
about these breastmilk-feeding by bottle situations:
- babies fed EBM may seem to "last" 3 hours between feedings, whereas babies
who are breastfeeding direct need feeding much more often, I hypothesize
that this is because foremilk and hindmilk are mixed, and because the
bottle-fed baby may take more milk in one "feed".  In many ways this method
of feeding seams much easier to plan, and quicker overall - and some moms
continue because of this.<<

This idea that breast fed babies "need" to feed much more frequently comes up
often and is one that I take issue with for many reasons. Undoubtedly some
breastfed babes "prefer" more frequent fds., some less frequent and some seem
to "require" more frequent and some less. Many new Moms who view caring for a
newborn as an overwhelming time commitment may be turned off to brfdng before
even attempting because of this expectation. We need to let Moms know that
they CAN have a lot of control over their exclusively brfed infant's fdng
schedule, IF they desire to exercise it. That is, some Moms may be happy to
have a baby permanently attached to their breast while others may want more
flexibility and predictablility. It is important for us to help them play
their part in the dance that is brfdng. and help them to realize that at
times they will "lead" the dance and at times they will follow. Taking the
lead when it comes to affecting the fdng frequency may be what works for them
and certainly can be done easily with many, if not most, by simply increasing
the effectiveness of each feed.
This expectation also becomes problematic in the reverse ie. with babes who
naturally feed less frequently, q3-4hrs, or 6-7xday, but their parents are
frantic because this isn't what they were told would occur.
I have never known a Mom who pumps and bottlefds EBM to say that is is less
time consuming then nursing alone, either.

she also writes;
>>- logically I would anticipate no difference in a mother's hormone levels
(prolactin and oxytocin) if she is pumping all her baby's needs, or
exclusively breastfeeding - it is only the method of drainage and delivery
which is different.  I remind these moms that because they are producing all
these lovely breastfeeding hormones they will feel very close to their
babies - in the same way as they would if they *were* breastfeeding.<<

I'm not sure about this. I think that the recent beautiful description (by
Barb in NC?)of a baby virtually self attaching over a period of an hr. or so,
 clearly illustrates the very different experiences of brfdng. vs. pumping
and bottlefdng . One can only conclude that there are hormonal differerences
as well.
Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts

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