I have the privilege of working with a family who is having a baby with a
"gestational carrier."  The fertilized egg is genetically of Mom and Dad.
The woman who is carrying the baby is a dear friend who has completed her
family.

Baby is due April 4 and Mom is expecting to breastfeed her. I met with Mom
for the first time last night and it was a most positive experience.  She is
beginning to pump this week and will use herbs as a help. I shared
information that I've gleaned from Lactnet as well as other written
material, and gave her the URL for the adoptive nursing site.

One concern I have is that the mom is "stylishly" thin, with accompanying
tiny breasts.  Having worked with mothers who have had a supply problem that
was helped by adding more fats, particularly cholesterol-high foods, I'm
wondering if I should encourage this mom to look at her diet and be sure
that she is getting enough fats. (Maybe that stuff with DHA that the abm
company is touting for breastfeeding mothers. ;) )

I know that thin women can make plenty of milk and that lots of breast
tissue is not necessary, but I believe that the deciding factor is *why* the
woman is thin and *why* there is little breast tissue.  I have a quite-thin
friend who is Korean who had very little protruding breast tissue and she
had three roly-poly babies. This woman didn't limit her fats or type of
fats; she was genetically thin.

I have recommended the piston-type breast pump--one of a "classic" nature.
She has a PNS and will use it at work.

She is phasing out work and will have 6 weeks without the stress of a job
before baby comes.

If anyone has something to share with me on this topic I would appreciate it.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee

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