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From:
deb shinskie <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 19 Jan 1996 08:35:44 -0500
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With 1994's panic articles in the popular press, moms' relatives telling
them they "just didn't have enough milk" & that 5% number floating around, I
have  seen an increase in mom's concern over this recently.  Since I did not
previously have the info Kathy D. (Thanks for the enlightenment!) posted
about that arbitrary percentage, I tried to bring it down to a more local,
personal level.  I usually get a good percentage of what Linda Smith
described yesterday regarding babies. But when it comes to moms, in 9 years
of LC related work, I have only seen one mom who had what I feel was true
insufficient mammary tissue. (Note that in this very rural, conservative
area; we don't see many moms with breast surg - and those I have seen have
not had complete milk transfer failure.)

This mom had breasts that looked like they belonged on an 11 yr old girl.
No history to explain this - no infertility, surg, trauma, etc...  Baby
never swallowed when latched on.  Mom was very committed but never showed
any 1st week pp lactation changes.  She was never able to pump anything out
either.  She did not have pregnancy breast changes either.  I can happily
say that her OB & peds docs were wonderful as we worked through this one.
We all learned alot.  I suggested she could look into this further, do what
she needed to find resolution.  One of those times when breast milk subs are
really necessary (she was not into the donor milk option).

For the teachable moments I have with my moms, I have reassured them by
pointing out that in the past 9 years, I have seen only one mom who was
completely unable to feed baby anything by breast related to her breasts-
noting that mom had no breast changes at any time since pre puberty.  I also
note that family members are well-meaning, but are of a different generation
&/or did not have adequate professional help.  I also emphasize the
individual nature of the whole thing - every mom-baby pair is composed of 2
unique individuals, no 2 are alike - thank goodness!  -This is helpful for
the mom who has a friend/relative who has recently had a lactation problem &
LC help but a less that desirable outcome!  I also reassure them that their
bodies did a wonderful job of conceiving this baby (even if there was
fertility help!), growing him/her thus far (all her own thing here!), and if
appropriate, birthing him/her (even inspite of the technology)!  I find that
we are often forgetting to plant the seeds of trust in our bodies' abilities
at an earlier age.  Hence, we are mopping up in the childbirth arena because
of this!

For this very reason, I just love WBW's theme this year!

Kudos to all of you planting/nurturing the seeds of trust,
Debbie Shinskie RN CES IBCLC
Private practice/home health/education

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