Darilyn asks:
"Does anyone work with any specific set of guidelines for the use of

pumps in a hospital setting?  I would think that very few mothers
who
give birth to healthy newborns would really "need" to pump."

We don't have detailed written guidelines, but any time a mom is
pumping in the first days (it might be because baby is in NICU and
cannot nurse yet or baby has been given formula because of low blood
sugar or whatever reason-valid or not), I always tell her than an
effectively nursing baby is the most efficient pump.  Technology
attempts to imitate baby, but it does fall short just as formula
falls short of fully imitating breast milk.  (Otherwise there's be
no need for continuing research to come up "new and improved"
pumps!)  Therefore, she may or may not get any noticable amounts the
first times she pumps, but if baby were able to nurse effectively,
he/she would definitely be getting more than the pump extracts.  The
first pumpings should be viewed as sending the message to mom's body
that yes, there is a baby and we do want the milk to be produced.
Any volume that can be saved for baby is a bonus.
I find that knowing this, moms will relax more which can certainly
increase the amount they may get and they will be more motivated to
pump more often.  Without this info, moms tend to put off pumping,
trying now and then, but not continuing if they aren't getting
measurable amounts.  Of course, we also give suggestions to
facilitate milk extraction including massage and nipple stimulation.

Winnie

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