Aloha,

I am part of a pump rental station myself.  There are a few others on the
island too.  I worry about the one that is run only as a business by
those who do not have much experience in Lactation.  I have heard of
problems with another station as well.

I always show the mom how to operate the pump.  I help her with the pump
best suited for her needs, not mine.  I also discuss getting
breastfeeding off to a good start first, avoiding nipple confusion,
storage of milk, etc.  I also question why they are getting a
pump----make sure they really need it.  If it is a mom referred by
Kaiser, I know they have been counciled as to which pump they need and
how to use it, etc.

This brings up a situation that bothers me, and I wonder how others feel.
 The Air Force Aid Society will pay for 6 months of pump rental or the
purchase of a p**p n S**le for women who are active duty or the wives of
active duty spouses in the Air Force.  So what is the problem?  A brand
new pump is used as the carrot to get the moms to sign up for parenting
programs.  What is wrong with this?  This applies to all women, not just
those who will be separated from their babies due to medical reasons or
employment.  I could go sign up for this program myself and get a pump.

I have brought this up with the public health nurse who runs the program.
 She said she does use the pumps as a "carrot."  I mentioned my concerns
about the message being sent.  You must have a breastpump in order to
breastfeed, misuse of pumps, etc.  She didn't seem to think there was a
problem.  Her reply was that many dads want to feed the baby.  Of course,
this brought out my soapbox.  Anyway, if a mom feels a need to express
milk, so dad can feed baby, she certainly doesn't need a p**p n s**le to
do this!

Just my feelings.


Aloha,
Gloria Thai  Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i  located 20 degrees North of the
Equator