Yes, the US is just plain weird. "we" are so caught up in the sexuality  of 
everything, and we can't get past it. "we" are also still very impeded  by our 
Puritanical roots... We use sex to sell anything and everything - but we  are 
not supposed to like it, and it supposed to be a VERY private thing - so  
unless you are planning to sell a car, or a boat, or a chair, or  a toothpaste, or 
some lent collected from your dryer - you better keep  those breasts 
contained and covered. Who knows what lust and mayhem you may  unleash if some  male 
creature gets a glimpse....
 
But, I would like to once again try to explain the need for pumps, at  least 
in my area:

 
Since Katrina hit, births have also increased (What is it about a Low  
pressure system triggering labor?) Among these births, many have been pre mature  
deliveries. Although we have some very breastfeeding pro-active doctors in my  
area, they are not so good about allowing kangaroo care, and for sure no pre  
term infant will leave the neo unit until the Dr. releases him/her. So, we  
have Docs encouraging moms to pump for these babies, and we want to meet this  
need, and help them to provide milk for their babies.
 
If our hospital policies were different, and allowed Moms to stay in  
hospital with these babies, many could probably be fed at the breast. However,  some 
would still not be "allowed" to try breastfeeding until some "benchmark"  was 
reached.
 
It is not now, nor has it ever been my intention (nor, do I believe the  
intention of anyone helping with Katrina relief) to randomly hand out pumps  to 
any and every new mother I meet in the shelter or through a helping call.  
However, WIC in my area has 135 Hospital Grade Electric Pumps that stay out to  
moms of pre term or sick babies (Yes, we have that many deliver significantly  
early - We have a very high risk population) Adding another 50 to 100 Thousand  
families to our area did not make this rate of high risk 
pregnancies/deliveries  any less.
 
It is my intention to encourage any mother who wishes to provide her milk  to 
her infant to meet that goal - in a way that is acceptable and do-able for  
her - in HER situation.
Many of the mothers realize that they can much more discretely put the baby  
to breast than they can pump. Most of them prefer to put the baby to the 
breast  than to add the chore of cleaning feeding devices and storing milk. 
However,  some will not come to this realization until they try it for themselves.
 
The policies and societal norms that shape our culture are the large brick  
walls we bang our heads against daily. The banging, over time, does make a  
difference - although sometimes so slowly as to imperceptible. I do remember a  
time when these same babies would not have been "allowed" their mothers  milk...
 
So, we are encouraging moms to put their babies to their breasts. We are  
also trying to not make it an all or nothing choice. If all they are ready to  
try today is holding their baby skin to skin, I celebrate that. By being open to 
 what the mother can do comfortably, I leave the door open for future  
communications and teaching opportunities.
 
Now, if we could just get a whole platoon of paratroopers (Maybe lead by a  
Doc in a white coat) to drop in and say "Put those babies to breast!".... We  
might actually have something. Especially if we all stormed in behind to aid as 
 needed. Until then, I will continue to meet these mothers where they are, 
and do  my best to leave a positive experience.
 
Laura 
Mississippi
 

****************************************************************************


think it still boils down to: why aren't we just encouraging putting  
the baby to the breast?  The only intervention I see we should be  
offering is maybe a Lact-aid or SNS .... IF we were offering any  
intervention.  The LESS stuff the better.

Maybe we should just  offer a clean blanket and private space?


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