Jan -

I have seen this procedure to work as well.  Learned it from a conference
put on by Kittie Franz and Karin Cadwell if I remember correctly.  (My
apologies if my memory is wrong.)  I do not think it is gravity that makes
the milk come out though.  I think it is the water pressure on the tissue
that does the job.  I have moms use body temperature water (put your hand in
and if you feel nothing it is the perfect temperature.)  This might be more
effective if the breasts were elevated but it would be hard to keep the
water in the basin! <G>

I usually do not use this as a first choice treatment.  My first choice is
milk removal by baby or pump.  If that cannot or will not happen then ice
and/or cabbage.  If there is no milk removal and ice/cabbage is not working
or working fast enough, I find the basin trick quite effective.  I tell moms
that if they want to use heat, it is only OK when milk is flowing or a
couple of minutes before pumping.  No flow, no heat.

I have a question for you though.  Why put a bra on a mom who is lying down?
Obviously no problem if it makes mom feel better but, other than that, why?

Linda Pohl, IBCLC
Phoenix AZ

-----Original Message-----
From:   Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jan Barger RN, IBCLC
Sent:   Monday, December 28, 1998 3:30 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        gravity?

Nikki writes,

Nikki -- is this anecdotal/clinical experience (I have nothing against this,
just am concerned about using heat on the breasts) or is there documentation
in the literature to demonstrate the efficacy of this?  And why gravity?
Logic tells me that to decrease the swelling the part needs to be elevated
which is what we do with edematous extremities.  A good fitting, supportive
bra with mom lying on her back so her breasts are above her heart ought to
help.  Seems to me that leaning over a warm basin, besides giving her a
backache, would increase the swelling.

Any other thoughts on this?

Jan B