Laura wrote: "Does anyone else have strong feelings against breast binding?
Can you tell me why you feel the way you do?"

I'm assuming you're referring to non-BFing and non-planning-to-BF women...

I think that it's a matter of comfort, and therefore varies from woman to
woman (duh, haven't I heard that before a few million times?). Some women
are definitely more comfortable with their breasts "bound" - although I hate
that word; I hate *any* phrase that associates "bound" and parts of the
female anatomy! I advise women to "wrap their breasts firmly", using an ace
bandage, a snug sports bra, or even a dish towel, if it is more comfortable
for them while they are trying to suppress lactation. I think (can't cite
chapter & verse here) that pressure over the front of the breast (the nipple
and areolar area) helps to suppress leaking or let-down - that's why we
advise women who feel an MER coming on in an inconvenient situation to cross
their arms across their breasts & apply pressure.

But other women are more comfortable with a more gradual lactation
suppression, maybe even expressing a couple of drops of "overflow" to
comfort, even though it takes longer to involute. (Heaven forfend that the
"bra police", as I used to call the nurses who "insisted" that non-BFing
women bind their breasts, should get hold of that tid-bit!)

I do find it necessary to explain just how strongly programmed our bodies
are to make milk for our babies, and that it takes a lot more effort to
suppress the milk than it does to follow the course nature intended. I
figure that'll give 'em something to think about while they're sitting there
with those chunky rocks on their chests, and I've had more than one woman
tell me she decided she might just as well go ahead & BF as put up with
getting the milk to go away!

I have also had plenty of experience with women who did go through the
"binding" routine, only to decide they wanted to BF days or weeks later, and
have found that they are generally able to do so.

I have a vast amount of confidence in this process and in women's bodies as
they respond to their babies' needs - I don't think that the milk surge can
be that easily suppressed, any more than a woman can keep from giving birth
by deciding she's going to "pucker up" and refuse to allow the baby to be
born. (WEll, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit there...)

Cathy Bargar RN IBCLC Ithaca NY

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