Hi Barbara

A good time for hand expression is in the first 24 hours if there is 
mother-baby separation.  The precious drops don't get lost in the pump 
flanges.  Another time I teach a mom hand expression is when baby is 
sleepy - a few drops given via a teaspoon often wakes baby enough to 
breastfeed - if not it will keep the blood sugar level up for a while 
longer.  We also have some babies who do not latch the first day or so - 
another opportunity for teaching hand expression.   All this covers quite a 
few of our patients!

All mothers are given information sheets on discharge.  Along with the one 
on engorgement, I have recently attached one on hand expression.  Talking to 
other BFHI Assessors here, they feel this is acceptable.

My 2 cents!

Jean Ridler  RN  RM  IBCLC  BFHI Assessor
South Africa   [log in to unmask]

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

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome