Wanted to add a comment on breastfed babies in daycare, also, after my last request for help brought such interesting discussion. With my own 3 so far, I have found several things helped to preserve both my milk supply and my baby's and caregiver's sanity. First, I looked for providers who were willing to carry my babies. A lot. All the time, if necessary. This cut down an awful lot on feeding when other comforting was what was actually needed. Second, for my babies who would tolerate it, we encouraged pacifier use after a feeding. My daughter was home with her dad for the first 12 weeks. No matter what technique he tried, she would inhale a bottle as quickly as she was allowed. Then he would put pacifier in her mouth and hold her just like she was nursing, flat to his chest. She was quite content that way. I don't think she ever figured out that I was the only one who nursed her! At 18 mos, she would still occasionally root on him in the night if she got turned around in bed. Third, I encouraged them to reverse cycle. Only my oldest really ever mostly switched schedules, but all three nursed a lot at night, and in the mornings and evenings. My oldest averaged only 2-6 oz of milk in a whole day when I was away, preferring to wait for me. The other 2 took more, but still nursed a lot when I was home. This also increased my comfort level that they were getting enough food when they took so much less volume during the day then other babies I knew. Fourth, and this may be the most important thing for maintaining a supply if you have to be gone a lot, I never let my babies have a bottle or pacifier if I was home. All of their sucking and nutrition needs were met at breast. (except for my littlest, who also managed to learn to suck his thumb.) I see many working moms who think they need a schedule, and think they should keep up the same schedule of bottles on weekends and days off. I strongly encourage them to nurse the baby absolutely as much as possible. I found that I could pump sometimes twice as much on Monday as on Friday, because I had nursed all weekend. Maybe some women are not as sensitive to the difference between pump and baby as I am, but I see many who struggle to keep up trying to follow any kind of schedule. For my mom and baby that I posted about, I am going to compile the suggestions I received and send them to her. Hopefully, they will help. Jennifer Tieman Family Physician Mom to 3, and new baby #4 expected 5/31/03 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html