On 12/09/2006, at 10:03, Jennifer Tow, IBCLC wrote:

>  Yet, whenever we see these trends, we need to be careful not to  
> circle too much around these examples and remember the bigger  
> picture. We are quick to be politically-correct and understand the  
> difficult situations. But, most of the moms I work with who  
> consider exclusive pumping are able to bf, but are quick to throw  
> in the towel, seeing pumping as a viable alternative to feeding at  
> the breast, NOT to AIM.

You may see these situations, and others working in particular  
circles in the USA (and perhaps in some social groups in some other  
countries), but I am definitely not seeing it here. This is a global  
list, and populations vary. I do dislike the term "politically   
incorrect", and hope it wasn't directed at my post. I don't think  
that going to substantial efforts to understand and support women  
with severe breastfeeding difficulties and children with special  
needs deserves to be dismissed as a token, meaningless gesture.

> Women have so many conflicting feelings when bf is a struggle and  
> pumping often allows them to push these feeling aside.

That (feelings about breastfeeding difficulty being "pushed aside"  
when pumping) is not at all concordant with my experience supporting  
100-200 women through this situation. It seems a very variable  
experience, so I don't deny that you've seen this happen.

> The further tragedy is that most will wean from the pump within  
> days or weeks and bf will end altogether.

I am not at all surprised that some women do this, particularly if  
their real life support is judgemental, dismissive, and completely  
lacking in practical advice and support, which it is way too often.  
My experience is that women who do access peer support systems tend  
to continue for months or years, either EPing or breastfeeding  
directly if their baby is able to transition to it.

Lara Hopkins

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