Could we be getting a bit too concerned re: semantics as it pertains to the
word "efficient" vis-a-vis breastfeeding or pumping? Wouldn't it depend on
context? I like the word "efficient" in ref to breastfeeding, but I wouldn't
label the baby as "efficient" or "inefficient"; rather I'd operationalize it
as referring to a baby's behaviors or oral mechanics at breast - not the
baby him/herself -- or the mother's contribution, e.g. via positioning,
breast compressions or so on.

Personally, I like the word "effective" in conjunction with milk
removal/transfer via baby (and related breastfeeding behaviors) or breast
pump, but I've also used "efficient" in terms of behaviors or mechanics that
are associated with active suckling, ease of effort involved, comfort (for
mother as well), etc -- essentially behaviors that result in effective BF
without strain or pain for either involved. Some dictionaries consider
"effective" and "efficient" as synonyms. (See definition from an online
dictionary below.) For me there are differences in meaning  when referring
to breastfeeding and, possibly, to pumping. Sometimes breastfeeding is
effective in that adequate milk removal/transfer occurs for
growth/development, but it is not efficient in that either baby's or
mother's behaviors or mechanics impede

Often "effective" and "efficient" go together as do "ineffective" and
"inefficient" - but not always. A baby may be effective in
removing/transferring milk during breastfeeding but may not be efficient,
such as the way she/he breastfeed results in really long or much more
frequent (than typical range) breastfeeding and/or painful/damaged nipples
for mom. The late preterm may be able to effectively breastfeed
(remove/transfer milk), but he/she may be less efficient due to immature CNS
and oral structures that affect oral mechanics.

Re: pumps -- a number effectively remove milk and some also do it
efficiently, which I'd operationalize as removing milk well/thoroughly in
less time. In this situation, "ineffective" would also be "inefficient."

Just an aside re: post below (after online definition), I'm assuming that
for the preterm baby who is in an isolette, whose mother is "not allowed" to
breastfeed and who aren't physically skin2skin, it is due to some weird
complication for either baby or mother since there's lots of compelling
evidence for both ongoing skin2skin/kangarooing and breastfeeding as
enhancing systems stability for preterm babies...

(From an online dictionary:

efficient \ef*fi"cient\ ([e^]f*f[i^]sh"ent), a. [L. efficiens, -entis, p.
pr. of efficere to effect: cf. F. efficient. See
Effect<http://www.dictionary.net/searchbox.php?st=2&query=Effect&PHPSESSID=0c5bd97e994342e02360a546c0abe3bf>,
n.]

Causing effects; producing results; that makes the effect to be what it is;
actively operative; not inactive, slack, or incapable; characterized by
energetic and useful activity; as, an efficient officer, power. [1913
Webster]

The efficient cause is the working cause. --Wilson.

Syn: Effective; effectual; competent; able; capable; material; potent. [1913
Webster]

*Source*: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48)


I read your post and although we all know that BF is the more
> "natural/physiologic" choice, I have a hard time making mothers who choose
> to exclusively pump feel guilty. Or should we think about the NICU baby in
> an isolette whose mother is not allowed to nurse and the only thing she can
> do is pump to provide optimal nutrition...is that frowned upon because it is
> not physically skin to skin with his mother?
> I agree the the term efficient is not ideal, but I was posting to lactation
> professionals trying to get evidence based research, not a mother.
>
> On a side note, you mention quite a bit of studies...can you please give me
> links to them? I could not locate any studies and women who emailed me off
> list could not either.
>
>
>
>


Karen Gromada
www.karengromada.com/

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