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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 5 Jan 1999 21:00:48 -0500
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The fact that the mother is renting a pump is already a sign that something
is not right. Not always, and especially in the US where maternity leave is
so pitifully short. But the mothers who are returning to outside work and
pumping are usually fairly motivated. The rest are having real problems, so
that a fair number of them will switch to formula. However, here's what you
can do to help them.

1. Enquire if they are needing a pump for other than a storing milk for when
they are away from the baby, whether they are seeing someone who might be
able to help with their breastfeeding problems. Sometimes mothers rent a
pump on their own, for example, because "breastfeeding is so painful", but I
want to keep giving the baby milk. Sore nipples is one problem which can
often be easily fixed.

2. Keep pumps which are good quality ones. Gerber (there I said it, without
any asterisks) battery pumps aren't worth a plugged nickel. If a mother can
manage to pump any milk with it, she could probably have done better just
leaking into a basin.

There is no answer for how often a 10 month old may nurse. Some nurse 3 or 4
times a day, some days, and 8 times the other days, and everything in
between. Some nurse not at all during the day, or only for sleep, and then
nurse all night.

For information on breastfeeding, though, check:

http://www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm

or

http://www.bflrc.com/jn_arts.htm

You can download them and give them out if you wish. Or you can give out the
website addresses.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

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