This mother has gotten off to a pretty rough start, and I would want to
reassure her that this doesn't mean that breastfeeding is going to be
impossible for her, but that it may take more time and effort than usual.
Encourage her to take things one day at a time.

Since she didn't start pumping until day seven, her breasts have probably
already decided "milk not needed" and begun the process of stopping
production. In some cases, it is not possible to get a full milk supply
going after this kind of delay, but I would certainly not give up too
quickly. Keep pumping, keep putting the baby to the breast, with careful
attention to latch and trying compression if the baby gets on.

I would strongly second Kathleen's comments about the value of skin-to-skin
contact for mother and baby. I think that will help her get past her
entirely natural anxiety about this baby and will also help the baby.

Teresa Pitman
Guelph, Ontario

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