Heather,
It certainly must be frustrating to go from what sounds like a more
breastfeeding friendly hospital to a less friendly one.  It's got to be
like fighting the same battles all over again.  Yet, who better to know
things can be better?
Would that we had a perfect world where the only reason for pumping in
the first day would be a NICU baby who is unable to feed yet.  There are
other times when I will suggest a mom pump such as:
1. If ,( in spite of the fact that we know in most cases they can wait)
baby is going to be given something other than nursing.
2. Baby hasn't realized yet that "the free ride is over and he has to
work for his food" and mom feels she needs to "do something" about it.

It depends so much on how it's presented whether is is additional stress
for mom.  If we take the approach "Let's get some colostrum to feed the
baby", mom is likely to feel pressured to produce and subsequently
frustrated and inadequate if she doesn't.  Contrast that with an
approach along the lines of "Your breasts have no idea baby is taking
anything else.  Pumping sends the message that there is a baby here and
we do to 'turn on' the milk-making process.  Pumping isn't as efficient
as a nursing baby, so we're not necessarily looking for any volume.  If
you get some it's a bonus.  If you happen to get some we certainly will
give it to the baby, but our primary purpose is stimulation."
No, those statements may not be physiologically precise.  However, it is
in terms a new mom can understand.  She will then focus on the process,
not the product.  She will feel she is making some contribution even
without any colostrum coming out.  We may be hoping for some colostrum
to feed the baby, but mom won't feel that there's one more thing going
wrong if she isn't able to pump any out.

Now, as far as doing this in the first 12 hours or so, probably not in
situation #2 above.  I would recommend lots of skin-to-skin cuddling
continuing to "offer" the breast every 2-3 hours if baby hasn't "asked",
but explaining that it is very natural for a baby to be "zonked out" for
several hours, especially considering what the baby's gone through
getting born and then having to get used to a totally new environment.

The difference between empowerment and adding stress depends a great
deal in how it's presented, in addition to lots of other factors, of
course.

Winnie

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