Mary Black wrote:

"I have been thinking about this a lot recently and have been spurred on by
the frequency with which I am hearing from the USA "pump and dump" and
seeing reference to workplace support for nursing mothers confined to pumps
and fridges.

Pumping and breastfeeding are quite different. Other contributors have
pointed out the issue of contact etc, but I think there is a difference in
the composition of the milk obtained by the baby, as well as the supply."


I have to agree with you Mary.  My recent experience with my own nursing
baby, while anecdotal, has proven to me it is not the same.  I don't think
the milk is the same, I don't think the interaction is the same and  I
don't think I am the same!

Two weeks ago, I resigned from my full-time job and am presently a stay at
home mom.  In just the past two weeks, my 6 month old daughter appears to
be thriving.  My brain says it may be just the developmental stage she is
at-I don't know.  My heart says she is thriving because she's getting the
milk straight from me.  I don't believe she got the same amount of cuddle
time and attention at day care as she has with me now.

While I am glad to see that legislation in the US is TRYING to support
working BF moms, I would prefer that it went much farther than that.
Either have the option of taking your baby to work with you or an at work
day care or having an extended maternity leave like other developed
countries in the world.  I had a job where this could have been possible or
I could have telecommuted for part of my job but I didn't see eye to eye
with my former employer on that issue (The if you're not present, you're
not working premise). So, I'm gone!  And my baby and my older kids and my
family are better off because of it.

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Pregnancy & Childbirth Contributing Editor
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/pregnancy_childbirth
Manhattan, KS  USA

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