Recently there have been several posts on Breast pumps being given out in the
Hospital environment. There has been considerable debate on the merit of this
practice.

Just a reminder that this issue was reviewed in a study in AAP in August 1992.
Vol 90 P 233-238. Selected Comments from the abstract:

"Women who received a discharge pack containing a Breastpump but no infant
formula continued exclusive Breastfeeding for a greater number of weeks
(mean=4.18 weeks) than did women receiving infant formula in their discharge
pack  (mean = 2.78 weeks)"

"Also women who  indicated that ease of nighttime feeding was an important
consideration were more likely to Breast-feed over the entire 8-week period if
they received a Breastpump rather than infant formula."

"The conclusion is that an easily implemented, low cost intervention, the
inclusion of a Breastpump in discharge packages, may increase the duration of
breast-feeding"

This is a very interesting study where the question of product/process was
reviewed.
In one group of mothers there was a fundamental difference in the attitudes of
Breastfeeding mothers. This difference helps answer the question: Why do mothers
Bottle Feed when they know Breastmilk (the product) is better?

The answer dealt with the process issues, such as desires for more freedom,
convenience of Bottle feeding, and narcissistic considerations.

This really has some profound implications in terms of raising the Breastfeeding
rates in the USA. A more careful analysis could be  done to see why mothers are
not Breastfeeding. Then, marketing campaigns could be designed to meet these
mothers needs and to deal with the issues that arise; thereas more mothers will
breast-feed.

Its important to use the resources of the lactation field wisely. What
Breastfeeding promotions will truly make the difference and raise the
Breastfeeding rate by 10-15 percentage points? Are the promotions that you or
your group doing going to make this difference?

Of course, you need to read the whole study to understand its limitations. All
studies have limitations. If you like a reprint, E-Mail me with your snail mail
address.

Richard Weston
Medela Inc.