I think I am agreeing with everybody in this discussion so far. Is that
possible? 

Exclusive pumping (which describes the experience of a woman who is
lactating and not breastfeeding) is happening out there in the world, and it
is a practice of interest to lactation consultants. Expressed milk feeding
(which describes the experience of a baby who drinks human milk, usually
from its own mother, but not from a breast) is happening too, and that is a
practice of interest to lactation consultants. One of the things that
lactation consultants do is to facilitate human milk getting out of breasts
and into babies. We facilitate bonding and attachment and human development
(of mother AND child) and a whole lot of other things, too. But if milk got
from breasts into babies with never a problem, our profession would not
exist.  

Stephanie, I am very glad you posted to Lactnet. I have been away from
Lactnet for many months, so I don't know whether you're a regular
contributor. In any case, I think you have a lot to tell us. It would be
great if you could keep even the most basic records about number of moms you
hear from each month and the nature of their problems. Even better would be
to team up with a student or researcher who could design a database with you
for capturing the information that would help us all understand this
phenomenon better.

For any Lactnetters who have not looked at Stephanie's website, I encourage
you to go there. I learned a lot when I read it in preparation for a talk I
gave last March.

I don't have time now to talk about the marketing aspect of the tools that
make exclusive pumping possible, but I'm sure I'll be back soon.
Chris

Chris Mulford, BSN, IBCLC
Project Coordinator, the PA-BC Business Case for Breastfeeding
Co-coordinator, Women & Work Task Force, World Alliance for Breastfeeding
Action

 "When she gives birth, every woman has the potential resource of breastmilk
for two years or more. This ample food resource is perfectly targeted,
already distributed to households with the need, and should be controlled by
the mother and baby." --Helen Armstrong (1995) 
Breastfeeding as the foundation of care. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, United
Nations Univ Press, 16:4, 299-312.



             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome