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Subject:
From:
Stephen David <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 14 Oct 1997 08:53:16 +0930
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Re the question "do first time mums have more trouble with MER than mums
with several children?"
In my experience, it has been more often related to the way each baby
feeds. I counseled a mum of 5 who had no problems with first 4 but #5 was
such a 'gentle sucker' that she had to do relaxation exercises to get a let
down. (I had a similar problem with my daughter) With first time mums, you
often only need to admire the baby and mum gets MER! Pain can be an
inhibiting factor and that is probably more common first time around. I
tend to treat each mother/baby dyad as a unique couple. Simply because mum
had various difficulties or successes before, it is often completely
different with each baby. If mum has been given great advice on positioning
and attachment first time, it usually sticks, but next baby can be just a
whole new ball game...

Re pumps, some mums simply don't get a MER when pumping. This is probably
psychological - no baby, no milk! If I have a mum who is desperate to pump
to be able to leave ebm for baby, I suggest this:
Pump at the first feed of the day when you are most rested. Set yourself up
in bed with pillows and a towel, put baby on one side and pump on the
other. Baby can be supported on pillows once attached and mum can fiddle
with pump. Baby stimulates MER and pump usually works well. I suggest that
mum does this over a couple of days so that she collects a small amount
each day(not a full feed, obviously) - because baby can get more milk from
breast than pump can, he usually gets a good feed anyway, he will take the
last of the milk from side 2 and will drain both breasts, mum can do a top
up a short time later if baby needs it, but most mums don't seem to have
any problems. Trying to express or pump after a feed is often so
disheartening that mums give up. Once mums have got the idea of what
happens and what the MER looks like and feels like, they can often pump
without baby to start things off. Obviously this can't be used in all
situations, but is helpful for some.

Querida David, Alyangula, NT. Australia

Counsellor, NT Correspondence Group
Editor 'Upfront'
Member NT Publications review team
Email: [log in to unmask]
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