I would like to add to the discussion two thoughts:

1. I can't imagine an LC working with a mother who FOR WHATEVER REASON is
pumping her milk and feeding her breast milk to her baby by whatever means
is acceptable to her, would make this mother feel inadequate, incomplete,
unsuccessful.  

I would expect the LC to find out what the mother's goals are and help her
reach them, providing her with reasons to work towards them.

For example - a mom with "oroboobular disproportion" would be assisted in
getting to the day - at 1 week, 1 month or 6, when her baby can get the
milk directly from the breast.  BUT if this mother had reached the end of
her rope - and pumped for 3 months then stopped and started formula - would
we call her a "failure" and "unsuccessful"?  I doubt it.

What if the mother was abused and could not imagine having skin contact
with her baby?  Would an LC make her feel less a mother for feeding her
baby her breast milk through whatever means she could deal with - I hope
not!!!

2. HOWEVER, when we are writing articles, discussing cases or doing
research - we must have clear definitions of what is breastfeeding.  

As Dr. Palmer's studies have shown that there is a difference in the oral
cavity between a child who breastfeeds - gets milk at the breast, or one
who receives breast milk from a bottle or other formed object (I imagine
finger feeding falls under this category), then we need to be clear how the
child received the breast milk to then study the results of such studies as
ones dealing with oral cavities, palate, breathing difficulties, etc....

Our discussion appears to mix both these situations in such a way that
there is only ONE  "right" and a "wrong" way.  I think we need to be clear
under what circumstances we use the terms we use and why.  In that way, I
think we will come to a much more "kinder and gentler" way of agreeing!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA

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