Hi all,

        Another two cents from me on the breastpump issue.  My first
solution to this situation would be for all hospitals to have LCs on staff
that moms could call after they go home from the hospital if they have
problems.  Even with my second son, when the same problem arose (milk came
in, nipples went flat, son couldn't latch on) I knew how to use a
breastpump and knew that engorgement was the problem, but I was afraid I
would pump too much milk and there wouldn't be enough milk left for him so
I never pumped enough out so he could latch on.  I called the LC at the
hospital and she told me to come on down.  She was wonderful!  We spent the
afternoon there, pumped several ounces, and then got Timothy contentedly
latched on.  So those of you who say it's a bad idea may be right in some
ways.  Having a pump and knowing how to use it this time still didn't help
me.  But having the LLLL phone number didn't help me either since she had
no idea how to use a breastpump either never having had to use one herself.
She and I both tried to hand express, which neither of us could get to
work very well.  I agree that mothers should not just be sent home with a
breastpump with no instruction on how and WHEN to use them, but I still
think mothers that have quality pumps will  breastfeed longer.  As I said
in my previous post, with so many moms returning to work, I think more
would breastfeed longer if they had decent pumps, and the only chance you
may have to reach them with pump information is when they're at the
hospital.  I still only use my manual pump, and I think that's a good
choice to send home with the moms.  The best solution in my mind is for all
hospitals to have LCs on staff to handle these simple problems.  (Or
contract out with a private LC so all moms get at least one consult with an
LC if they need help)

        Now I just have to let off a little steam.  I was just told that at
Timothy's daycare, they will no longer allow breastmilk to be given in
cups.  If I want Timothy to continue to receive breastmilk, he will have to
get it in a bottle (which I think they know he will refuse to drink from
any more!).  I was too angry to confront them this morning about it.  I am
reasonably sure that I am the only mom breastfeeding a one-year old.  I
don't know if other parents have expressed concern or if the daycare
workers are worried about infections.  I know I don't appreciate the way
they have gone about this without even discussing it with me previously.  I
was just told today that they are currently writing up a policy that will
prohibit breastmilk in cups and that today will be the last day that they
will do it for me.  I guess until I know what they're worried about I can't
do much, but I was too angry to ask them this morning.  I'm not sure
references will help much since they technically aren't saying no
breastmilk.  At
 least once I have calmed down a bit, I can think about a reasonable plan
of action.  Thanks for listening.

 Donna J. Spannaus-Martin, Ph.D., MT (ASCP)
 Assistant Professor, Clinical Lab. Sciences, University of Tennessee, Memphis
 mom to David (8-11-92) and a still breastfed Timothy (2-13-95)