Chris Mulford said:
"A mom who is sick enough to be hospitalized may find it really difficult to
pump..."

...and I say "Amen" to that!

In a time when women are discharged 24 hours after a mastectomy, 48 hours
after gall bladder or childbirth, the reality is:

1. Moms who are sick enough to be hospitalized are often so sick that they
need a GREAT deal of medical care from overworked staff.

2. They also need a great deal of help in order to be able to pump - and
even so, their milk supply may be compromised.

In my days in Puerto Rico I saw moms hospitalized due to Dengue Fever which
caused hemorrhaging.  Needless to say, they were very weak and unable to eat
or drink - and pumping was not a priority - nor a need, as they didn't
become engorged until almost discharge. Survival was the first priority. In
fact, I often didn't see them pumping until the day before discharge, even
though a pump and assistance was available - they were too weak!

However, they DID recover their capacity to breastfeed as they recovered
from their illness.

...so I believe the message (besides trying to get help and helping moms
pump while in the hospital if/when they are able to) should also be that
they CAN "get back to" breastfeeding again "with a little help from their
family/friends/baby"...and resources should be provided to help them after
they have gone home.

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA

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