>i know bfar was discussed a day or two ago. someone mentioned when to tell
>the mom to 'throw in the towel.' i would never be the one to do that. the
>mother is the one to say that or not. as per dianne west's book 'defining
>your own success."

I think that our role as LC's is to facilitate the mothers' means of
attaining her breastfeeding goals, whatever they may be, and to provide
information that may positively influence those goals.  By way of
objectivity, we may outline her options, including those -- admittedly
distasteful to us -- that result in early weaning, as we help her to
develop her breastfeeding goals.  Ultimately, however, mothers own the
responsibility for options they choose, based upon the information and
recommendations we give them.  Although an LC may include early weaning in
her discussion of the mothers' options, it would seem that few, if any,
circumstances warrant *recommendation* of early weaning.

>someone also asked how much time it would take. i have had moms stop the
>bf after a few days. i really don't know if there is a pat answer, but i
>would think that at least 2 to 3 weeks of fairly intense stimulation
>(whilst feeding the baby any extra as needed) would be needed to see what
>a mom's potential might be.

It is also important to consider the switchover from endocrine to autocrine
control.  It is not until this process is complete that we can accurately
assess the mother's lactation capability.  Moreover, the potential
influence of galactagogues such as domperidone may be factored to enhance
this calculation.

It has been my experience that early weaning is correlated less with the
amount of the mother's milk supply than with her attitude and the value she
places upon breastfeeding.  A deeply committed, optimistic mother will
often go to great lengths to breastfeed her baby, even though significant
supplementation may be necessary.

Diana West
Executive Director
BFAR, Inc.
http://www.bfar.org
Breastfeeding After Reduction

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

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(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html