I was musing about the problem of mothers pumping so often that they give
themselves over-production.  It seems to me that what we're seeing is the
commodification of breastfeeding.

When you formula feed, there is an obvious commodity, and someone's making
money off of it.

When you breastfeed, who makes money?  Pump companies have stepped into the
profit void, making money off what could have been free or cheap.

Now, once you've got that pump, you can use it the same way some people use
formula: They worry they don't have enough milk, so the supplement whether
Baby needs it or not.  They're just supplementing with their own milk
instead of formula.

It's a step better, but it's still a big company preying on mothers'
fears.

What other products can mothers buy to alleviate breastfeeding fears?
Nipple shields, breast shells, ointment, pump flanges, milk storage bags
and jars, ice chests, vibrators for your breasts to stimulate milk flow,
pumping bras, nursing bras, herbal supplements, at-breast supplementers,
breast pads, microwave steamer bags for sterilizing pump parts, meditation
music, the list goes on.

Breastfeeding shouldn't be so complicated.  Breastfeeding should be easy.
Breastfeeding should be free or cheap.

Anyway, that's my thought on this problem.

Julie Tardos

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