Hi Judy,

Well here in the southern California area, at least, I find that we have the
opposite problem re: pumps that you are exxperiencing there in Beer-
Sheva.  I get calls from moms -before- their babies are even born asking
questions about and wanting to reserve breast pumps.  I sometimes get the
feeling that these girls think they can't have a baby and breastfeed without a
pump.  I think it's kind of sad.  So many of them begin pumping immediately so
Dad can *bond* with the baby by feeding him/her.  What a bunch of nonsense!!!!
I can't help but feel that the formula companies hype about bonding is what is
causing a lot of this to happen.  This is quite a personal and professional
quandry that I find myself in.  I am an IBCLC with a private practice and have
just accepted a part time job as LC for a large hospital.  I also have my own
pump rental station, as does the hospital that I will be working for.  Now, Of
course, we all know there are legitimate reasons for moms to pump and I have no
problem with that.  BUT  when they just want a pump so Dad can feed, or 2 or 3
days after they deliver so they can get a nights sleep or get away from the
baby, I feel upset and dismayed.  At any rate, thats what I face here in sunny
Los Angeles.  Hope this info is helpful to you.
Regards,
Yaffa


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        Yaffa Stark, MA, IBCLC    Los Angeles, Calif., USA
        "We must identify and reduce barriers which keep women
       from beginning or continuing to breastfeed their infants."
       C. Everett Koop, M.D., ScD. Former Surgeon General
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