>
>
>Several good comments have been made on this issue.  Yes, we must not
>lose sight of the value of hand expression before it bocomes a "lost
>art".
>if not better.  On the other hand, this is a lot easier for some moms
>than others.
>

When a new mom (or expectant mom) comes to our monthly meetings and asks
about pumps, I give out information on pumps, recommendations as per her
needs (i.e. is she returning to work full time, or will this be a once a
month thing for a babysitter on occasion?), but I do mention hand
expression.  I say that some moms find it to be very easy, and it is a
pity to invest 200$ or whatever exorbatant amount on a pump and then
find one hand expresses better.  I suggest that she go home and nurse,
and hand express for practice when engorged on day 3 or 5 or whenever
the milk comes in...and to practice under the shower where she doesn't
have to worry about "aiming" into a container at all.  If she does need
a pump in the beginning usually she can rent a heavy-duty one (i.e. for
a baby who isn't latching properly, etc.) which will work better anyhow
than most of the other ones on the market (single electric, or hand
pumps, though often the electric ones like Pump in Style or Purely Yours
would at least do a decent job...).  If not, usually she can wait until
the engorgement is past, in order to go out for the first time without
her baby, and can see how she expresses and if she needs a pump at that
point in time.

I also usually mention that knowing the basis of hand expression can be
practical if she has an electric pump, for those "just in case"
scenarios, like no electricity where she wants to pump/when she wants to
pump, or in case she ever forgets her pump (electric or manual) at home
and doesn't have her baby, and is getting full.  Just to take the edge
off sometimes is all that is needed.

Fio
ressource person with Allaitement Québec
Mama to Sandrine, 28 mos, and #2, 11/2002

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