<< Because maybe the mom doesn't feel that it is an extra burden. It is
something
 very specific that the mom can do to help her baby in a situation where the
 mom is feeling very helpless. >>

I agree with Cheryl's above comments......when I pumped for three months
before my 900 gm preemie began nursing at the breast, I too, found it not to
be an extra burden, but just the opposite.  It was an empowering thing to do,
when I felt completely helpless otherwise.  I too, felt that breast
compression and message helped express milk that otherwise wouldn't have been
available by pump alone.  This was 4 1/2 years ago, and if I had to do it over
again, I would have pumped to separate fore/hind milk and hopefully, have
improved weight gain.  I was fortunate that my preemie was my third baby, and
I had successfully nursed my two previous children through toddlerhood.

I agree with Nancy, that pumping can be very burdensome for some mothers.  On
the spectrum of breastfeeding mothers in general, there are those that nurse
as little as possible and only because they know it's the right thing to do.
Then you have those on the other end of the spectrum that would rather nurse a
baby than do much else.  I, luckily, fell into the later group.  My point
being, for those mothers who may not understand or enjoy the full experience
of breastfeeding a baby, pumping may prove to be a burdensome nuisance,
especially, perhaps, for a first time mother.  But for those who understand
and embrace the whole breastfeeding experience, pumping can be an empowering,
deep link to their preemie babies.

Just my 2 cents..........Barb Gabbert-Bacon, BGS, Wichita, Kansas, USA