Susan wrote: <<<Sorry if I posted something confusing...I DID NOT say with
what I would
suggest a mom supplement if her supply dips in relation to menses. That
is, of course, up to the mom. My experience is...if that option is not
at least explored with the mom experiencing cyclical variations in
supply...she will wean, because she thinks it is too much to go through
several days of hungry baby every month.>>>>

This is my experience too. Mothers call me or email me, very stressed,
already supplementing and already on their way with weaning. Their baby is
hungry and nursing more often doesn't help.

I tell them to relax and wait a couple of days untill this period has
breaked through. And ensure them the milksupply will be back then. I
encourage them to at least don't cut back on nursing. Till then some
mothers choose to supplement, and after that they are back to exclusive
breastfeeding.

i hate it to see them supplementing, but I know that if they hadn't, they
had completely weaned their baby's. The last 5 years the bf rates have
dropped dramatically in the netherlands. 70% of the women start nursing but
the majority wean during the first couple fo weeks. So, when i meet a woman
who is nursing for 3 months I'm already very happy!

Now If these mothers start nursing more often in the early days in most cases
this wouldn't have happened.


Annelies Bon
bf counsellor of the Dutch bf organization

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