Wow, what unbelievable timing.  I haven't read my LACTNET mail for about one
week, and I come back to find the hot topic is something I just finished
ranting about with my husband in the kitchen!

We have a hospital based LC service which is increasingly survivng on pump
rentals.  The problem is, I am becoming increasingly alarmed at the number of
new moms being encouraged to purchase expensive pumps (PIS) and  to rent
pumps before they leave the hospital.  As one of my fellow LC colleagues
explained it to me just a few short minutes ago, "we see so many moms with
sleepy babies and with latch problems before they leave the hospital, and we
really need to tell them to get these pumps because they will fell more
secure at home.  And besides, it can't hurt our revenue, either".

YIKES!  I'm sorry, but I totally and completely agree with Kathy D. here.
 Yes, there are definitely times when a pump may be needed, but we need to
focus on our ultimate goal: getting the baby to breast. Where is the followup
when the mom goes home with the pump?  We easily forget about that.  When
lactation services focus on getting a machine to a mom so that they can stay
open for business, I have to wonder if we have lost the heart and soul of why
we exist. We need to establish breastfeeding as a natural, normal part of our
culture, to the point where LCs may not even be needed some day!  Mother's
mothers can teach them the art of breastfeeding because they've done it
themselves, without needing gadgets attached to them.

What the heck are we doing?  It's almost like we are becoming more and more
like the formula companies, having to push products on new moms which may not
be necessarily for their benefit, all for the sake of making a dime to "stay
in business".

Read the WABA statement on the use of breastpumps.  EXCELLENT reading.

Brenda Phipps, BS, IBCLC