More observations about moms who "pump abuse". I am currently a 
breastfeeding counselor in a group that visits mothers in the hospital 
before discharge. Invariably they all ask either in the hospital or during 
the first follow-up phone call (no later that three days old or the day 
the after the baby comes home)when they can start pumping. Sometimes they 
even bring up to me that they are concerned that at day 3 or 4 they can't 
pump out any milk yet! Their concerns are 1. stockpiling milk for return 
to work 2. how soon father or grandma can give the baby a bottle. Even 
mothers who are planning to stay home for six months or longer have an 
anxiety about pumping and storing up milk. It seems as though one message 
has gotten through loud and clear "breastmilk is best". But the other part 
of breastfeeding--the at-breast nurturing and bonding--is not as well 
embraced. With all of the cultural discomfort western women have about 
their breasts and breastfeeing (not to mention years of child behavior 
experts warning against "spoiling" by physically catering to a baby's 
every supposed whim*) it seems to be a very attractive option to just pump 
and give the milk in bottles. Mom then feels good that her baby 
is "getting the best", but her personal level of involvement is kept at 
arms length since giving a bottle involves less interaction. (This is a 
good solution, however, for abuse survivors who want their baby to have 
their milk but just cannot handle the physical demands of breastfeeding. A 
topic for another time!)  The other aspect is that we as a culture are 
gadget-happy. Every mom puts the Pump-in-Style on her baby gift wish list. 
Owning an expensive pump seems to be a growing norm. Most of the popular 
baby books mothers recommend have checklists of items to buy before baby 
is born and breastpump is on the list. 
*this is not by any means my personal view, but after the pumping question 
comes the inevitable "if I feed on demand and hold him all the time, won't 
he get spoiled?" query.

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