Thanks, Nancy, for cogent criticism of that study (Fewtrell, M. et al.
Randomized trial comparing the efficacy of a novel manual breast pump with a
standard electric breast pump in mothers who delivered preter infants.
Pediatrics 2001; 107(6):1291-97.)
I hadn't even noticed the pump times, I just 'knew' the results didn't match
my own clinical experience.  Women who are dependent on expression in order
to get milk into the baby at all are often better served by double pumping,
which is certainly simpler with a hospital grade pump.
Next time the rep. from Avent calls at my workplace, I will be better
prepared!

Nancy wrote:
"The researchers compared the Avent Isis with a hospital-grade double
electric breast pump.  Before I wrote about this study in The Breastfeeding
Answer Book, I conferred with Paula Meier, who kindly reviewed the
Prematurity chapter for me.  We agreed that just on the face of it (never
mind who funded it) this study that was not nearly strong enough to
reconsider our recommendations.  For one, neither groups of mothers (all of
whom had premies who were not yet breastfeeding) pumped the recommended
number of times per day.  Instead of 8 times per day, they pumped on average
3-4 timers per day.  Consequently, neither group brought in anywhere close
to a full milk supply (750-900 ml/24 hrs.)  They were only expressing about
200 ml per 24 hours--not exactly a spectacular result.  Another problem was
the mothers in the manual pump group used a silicone insert in their pump
flange (hyped for its massaging action) and the mothers in the other group
did not, even though there was one available that fit that particular type
of pump."


Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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