In my opinion, knowledge is power and gives women choices!  I am usually the one that has to give the mom that bad news that her breasts may not be ABLE to make enough milk for her baby's needs.  They usually cry, with sadness and great relief to know that it wasn't anything that they were doing wrong!  And they always thank me!  

After the mom has taken in the information, invariably she says, "Why didn't anyone tell me this before?"  and "If only I would have know, I could have been prepared for this and hired an LC earlier or watched more carefully for signs that I wasn't making enough."  and "My baby didn't have to go through a period of not getting enough to eat!"  

If I get to see a mom prenatally, and if I suspect she may have a problem with milk production, that's exactly what I tell her.  I also tell her I could be wrong and to call me after the birth of the baby and, together, we'll decide whether or not to supplement.  

It's her body!  I think she deserves to know all about how it works!

Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC

PS, I just got sent in an application to IBLCE for my first mentorship!  
             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome