> The other thing (that concurs with Pat's statement) is the number of women --
> even the stay at home moms that are sure they NEED a PNS or Purely Yours or
> something else equally expensive.  And that makes me crazy.

I *always* mention at our monthly meetings, if the subject of working,
milk extraction (pumps) etc. comes up, that the woman should wait until
she's given birth and has had a chance to try hand expression (more than
once) before going to get an expensive pump.  I tell how I spent about
100$ (canadian) on a certain pump and later found that I can get just
about as good (if not better) collection manually.  I tell them to try
aiming into a large mixing bowl to begin with, or even under the shower
to "play with" learning how to stimulate the MER.  Then graduate to
something like those "disposable" Glad or Ziploc containers (the snack
size, 8 oz, is a good one).  They're fairly wide-necked and easy to aim
into, and freeze things well.  I also say that *if* they have a
premature baby or a baby who won't take the breast for the first week or
so, they will want more than a simple hand-pump.  A heavy-duty pump will
be best for those situations, and are very expensive, so best to rent
then.

Fio.

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