----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Burger" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: [LACTNET] Babies are PHYSIOLOGIC and pumps are machines that
can be EFFICIENT
Dear all:
**Hello Susan and others,
I really beg to differ on the averages about how a baby and pump "perform".
I am sick and tired of seeing women who have been detered by hospitals,
society, family
etc from actually establishing their milk supply with the baby. Then
everyone tells them
NOT to pump because the baby is more efficient.
**The constant shift from one 'great advice' to the other is indeed terrible
and frustrating for parents.
I NEVER say "The baby is more efficient than the pump".
**Actually, I *do* say that every once in a while.
And in fact the data in my own
charts really does not support this statement in the vast majority of cases.
If the pump
can still get milk out after the baby is done, it means the pump can drain
more out than
the baby.
**I disagree on this: I think we could say that the baby didn't take it out,
but we cannot say that he *cannot* take out what was in that breast. That I
don't empty the fridge at lunch or at dinner, doesn't mean I *cannot* do
that; it only means I don't do it, for whatever reason, but probably because
I've had my fill and leave the rest as it is and get back to it later. ;o)
I've documented what the baby takes out of the breast and what the pump
takes out and most of the time, the pump takes out more.
**Well, then you must have moms that are very efficient at pumping... I
never was; I always breastfed without any problem, but couldn't pump. I
think I just preferred live feedings.
The one big exception is for women who never got out of sync with their
babies from the beginning. When those babies are 3-6 months old, some of
them (not the majority) will take out milk faster than
the pump.
**Still, the fact that they don't take it out faster (although I think many
babies indeed do it faster), doesn't mean they *cannot* do it faster. Like
we all said before: breastfeeding is about a process, not transferring a
product. Baby may well decide to prolongue the process, because he likes it.
When I am in good, pleasurable company, I *really* like to take ages to
empty my plate, because I love so much being at the table with those I like
and love. I don't sit there because I can't eat faster, but because I don't
want to.
(snip)
What I do say is "The baby is more PHYSIOLOGIC than the pump and you can
BOND with yoru baby."
**I think mothers can bond to their pumps. If pumping is all you can do for
your baby, you may very well get imprinted with this fact. Pumping, or even
seeing the pump, may trigger an MER because you are trained to make that
happen, because you associate pumping with feeding your baby, because your
body simply shows a Pavlov-effect. I think the human mind is very flexible
and can put itself to whatever it likes or wants or assumes necessary. There
are so many things you can accustom your mind to. Research has shown that
seeing something painful, causes comparable effects in the brain of the
viewer, who then releases all kinds of similar hormones. I truely believe
that can also happen with regard to pumping. I never managed; I trained my
body and mind to let down on my daughters, so they wre way more effective
and efficient... ;o)
Machines can be judged by "EFFICIENCY" standards. Babies should not.
**I fully agree.
Kindly,
Marianne Vanderveen, Netherlands
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