In a message dated 12/7/2005 5:08:54 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
There must be a couple thousand people on this list who have heard it said
of a
new mother that 'she pumped (on day 2) and there was NO milk yet'. In my
ward
there is also a surge of interest, fascination really, with hand expression
for
those couple of days in the beginning when a lot of babies just haven't
gotten
going. Still, I hear staff saying 'she hand expressed and there was NO
colostrum'. But when I check, it seems the attempts at expression were too
short-lived to have any effect. Sometimes there will be a couple of drops
right away, and then nothing for a minute or more, and the mother stops,
thinking she has obtained all that was possible. But if the mother just
keeps
on, while we keep her company and keep the conversation pleasant and
diverting,
and keep an eye on her technique so she doesn't get too eager and start
hurting
herself, after two minutes or more it almost always gets results. First a
drop
or two, and then sometimes even a trickle, which lasts for a couple of
minutes
more. Keeping her company in a friendly way is probably every bit as
important
as the time she spends stimulating her breast physically.
Dear Friends:
In the hospitals where I work as LC, I have found that after some time
of s2s, the mother can hand express. I guess the baby in such close contact
shifts the hormones, favoring milk release. Lots of coaxing and encouragement
also helps: "Oh, look there is some milk........." "The milk is like honey
now, thick, so you just see a drop."............"Wow, look at all that milk!"
(said very excitedly as a drop emerges). Just as we do with labor support ("You
are doing it! Your baby is coming.") or a child riding a bicycle or with any
other new athletic endeavor.
Pulling the curtain, closing the door to her room, making the room very
warm, sitting down next to her bed, and giving lots of verbal coaxing all
help her feel safe to try this very new skill.
It is a BIG deal to try and get some new fluid out of one's body. We need
lots of patience, a safe environment, and happy amazement to help the new
mother through yet another physical trial. (The first is labor and/or major
abdominal surgery.) The baby's presence is a HUGE help.
warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE
Maternal-Child Adjunct Faculty Union Institute and University
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactation
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com
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