Yes, the US is just plain weird. "we" are so caught up in the sexuality of
everything, and we can't get past it. "we" are also still very impeded by our
Puritanical roots... We use sex to sell anything and everything - but we are
not supposed to like it, and it supposed to be a VERY private thing - so
unless you are planning to sell a car, or a boat, or a chair, or a toothpaste, or
some lent collected from your dryer - you better keep those breasts
contained and covered. Who knows what lust and mayhem you may unleash if some male
creature gets a glimpse....
But, I would like to once again try to explain the need for pumps, at least
in my area:
Since Katrina hit, births have also increased (What is it about a Low
pressure system triggering labor?) Among these births, many have been pre mature
deliveries. Although we have some very breastfeeding pro-active doctors in my
area, they are not so good about allowing kangaroo care, and for sure no pre
term infant will leave the neo unit until the Dr. releases him/her. So, we
have Docs encouraging moms to pump for these babies, and we want to meet this
need, and help them to provide milk for their babies.
If our hospital policies were different, and allowed Moms to stay in
hospital with these babies, many could probably be fed at the breast. However, some
would still not be "allowed" to try breastfeeding until some "benchmark" was
reached.
It is not now, nor has it ever been my intention (nor, do I believe the
intention of anyone helping with Katrina relief) to randomly hand out pumps to
any and every new mother I meet in the shelter or through a helping call.
However, WIC in my area has 135 Hospital Grade Electric Pumps that stay out to
moms of pre term or sick babies (Yes, we have that many deliver significantly
early - We have a very high risk population) Adding another 50 to 100 Thousand
families to our area did not make this rate of high risk
pregnancies/deliveries any less.
It is my intention to encourage any mother who wishes to provide her milk to
her infant to meet that goal - in a way that is acceptable and do-able for
her - in HER situation.
Many of the mothers realize that they can much more discretely put the baby
to breast than they can pump. Most of them prefer to put the baby to the
breast than to add the chore of cleaning feeding devices and storing milk.
However, some will not come to this realization until they try it for themselves.
The policies and societal norms that shape our culture are the large brick
walls we bang our heads against daily. The banging, over time, does make a
difference - although sometimes so slowly as to imperceptible. I do remember a
time when these same babies would not have been "allowed" their mothers milk...
So, we are encouraging moms to put their babies to their breasts. We are
also trying to not make it an all or nothing choice. If all they are ready to
try today is holding their baby skin to skin, I celebrate that. By being open to
what the mother can do comfortably, I leave the door open for future
communications and teaching opportunities.
Now, if we could just get a whole platoon of paratroopers (Maybe lead by a
Doc in a white coat) to drop in and say "Put those babies to breast!".... We
might actually have something. Especially if we all stormed in behind to aid as
needed. Until then, I will continue to meet these mothers where they are,
and do my best to leave a positive experience.
Laura
Mississippi
****************************************************************************
think it still boils down to: why aren't we just encouraging putting
the baby to the breast? The only intervention I see we should be
offering is maybe a Lact-aid or SNS .... IF we were offering any
intervention. The LESS stuff the better.
Maybe we should just offer a clean blanket and private space?
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