Dear all,

With interest I have read the discussion about antenatal expression.
I remember hearing about it for the first time: I was surprised about the thought of doing it!
I can see situations where it might be of great help.
Then again... I would like us all to not cling to once again some kind of ‘intervention’ to make breastfeeding work.
I see so many weird steps being taking in the perinatal period, that it is no wonder that so many problems result.
Antenatal expression sometimes seems like a security measure, to prevent the process from failing given the ‘normal’ (read: common) policies.
There are many interventions that are only necessary because the physiological situation is being disturbed.
If we don’t intervene in the first place, we would not need so many interventions.
Skin-to-skin is NOT an intervention; it is how it is supposed to be.
Taking babies away IS an intervention, causing the need for many other interventions that drain both mom and babe of their precious energy.
Let’s stick to problem prevention and if necessary to problem solving, and not put so much effort into symptom fighting...! ;-)

Warmly,

Marianne Vanderveen IBCLC, Netherlands

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