I think Janet Vandeberg's comments about herbs also applies to aids of any
kind.  We are the quick fix society!   Sometimes in my attempts to
organize, I feel if only I had a new notebook with a certain kind of
dividers, THEN, I would be able to organize.  But, guess what, the only
thing that gets me organized, is spending the time to get organized.
  Seldom do the "props" do more than mildly assisting in the process.
   So, a pillow, a nursing shirt, a pump, etc are all nice frills, but are
seldom essential to the process.     By the same token, it sometimes seems
that all the efforts my PCs and I make to help breastfeeding moms, the ones
who succeed are those who are determined to breastfeed.   We can facilitate
the process, but mom really has the work to do.   Our efforts at creating
overt and subtle breastfeeding support at every avenue of the world are
important too, of course.      Michelle Scott, RD,MA,IBCLC in NH

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Janet wrote:

My concern with ordering herbs for low supply is that it is too easy
to  take a herb and give less attention to fixing the breast
feeding.   I find some mums want to take herb to increase their milk
but are reluctant to feed their baby as often as needed to increase
their supply.

Herbs can be a good tool to enhance supply if they are combined with
an increased demand and other good breast feeding management.
However, herbs can be a hindrance if they are seen as an easy fix.

When talking with mums about herbs I like to use the analogy that
herbs are like plant food.  Plant food doesn't actually make your
plants grow but supports the growth. Herbs can help to increase
supply when necessary if they feed the baby or pump more frequently.

Janet Vandenberg, RN, BScN,
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
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