Maureen writes:

<Mary Kay,
I tell them that the meds will not help unless they are
breastfeeding/pumping adequately.  The meds are to HELP, not to replace the
act of breastfeeding/pumping.  I say, "Breastfeeding/Pumping frequently and
emptying your breasts to the last drop will drive milk supply up, nothing
else will work.">

I have begun to suggest the "pill mentality" in reverse. I try to explain to
the moms (in the simplest way consistent with her particular educational
level, more for those with higher education), that one of the natural
substances in the milk itself will actually work like a medicine to tell the
breast to slow down the milk production if the milk is left in the breast
for too long a period.

So, therefore, to prevent this from happening, it's necessary to keep the
milk moving, removing at least some of it at least X # of times in 24 hours
(depending on whether she is establishing a supply for a premie at the
beginning, or trying to rebuild supply at some other time, and also what's
realistic to accomplish in her 24 hour situation.)

In addition, I try to "Watch my language" and completely avoid the phrase
"Empty your breasts". I think it's too loaded, as well as being
physiologically inaccurate. I also like to tell them that milk is made more
rapidly in the hour after "10-15 minutes of thorough milk removal."

Jean
***************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, OH USA

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html