Hi Kate,
(sorry about the spelling) I am afraid I don't know about the specifics
of this situation, but I related to this part:
>I can't believe they told a mother that there was no way to
>increase her milk supply at 3 weeks postpartum and to give up!!
>Thank you for your help.
Why, why, why do people advise women to give up breastfeeding because
they cannot breastfeed exclusively? Not that I think supplementing with
formula should be anything less than a last resort, but *even* if the
doctor recommends ("orders") formula supplementation, why is it I so
often come across women who've been told to *give up*. Surely, it's up
to the mother to decide if she wants to give up entirely?
From supporting a mother in an attempt to relactate, I have seen how
some HCPs despised her 2oz yields and considered it worthless to her
baby. And yet, those 2oz made such a huge difference to her FTT baby.
She was very educated, and a somewhat exceptional mother, but I really
believe that many more mothers would be prepared to continue
breastfeeding and/or pumping, even if only partially, if they realised
just how much difference a little breastmilk can make.
And ofcourse, as your story illustrates, yields often can be improved
and babies often can be got back to the breast. It just seems that
outside our little group of Lactnetters, the world at large is very
pessimistic about breastfeeding and under-values breastmilk. When I was
supporting the mother relactating, I tried to find research and studies
to support her and my view that a little breastmilk was a lot better
than none, but I didn't find much. Is it just not there, or are we
mistaken? I can't honestly believe we are.
--
Anna H.
mailto: [log in to unmask]
http://www.ratbag.demon.co.uk/anna/
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