Thank you for the replies I have received so far.  

For some clarification, the issue of short term breastfeeding is not for medical reasons, or problems with breastfeeding.  It is purely for the purpose of feeding colostrum to the baby and for a mom to "try" breastfeeding.  I work with a low-income rural population and only 15% of our moms breastfeed for more than a month.  For many of our moms, long term breastfeeding is not part of their goals, but they may be willing to give it a go for 3 days - 2 weeks, supplementing with bottles all the way.    

It has been brought to my attention that perhaps this is not a beneficial teaching, and may be causing other issues postpartum, like increased engorgement.  As I researched, I wondered if short term breastfeeding would be a *solution* to postpartum engorgement in women with no goals for breastfeeding.  Is there a place in our prenatal education for 3 days to 2 weeks of breastfeeding?  

I liked Pat's story about the doctor who insisted moms breastfeed in the hospital.  I wonder how she advised them to wean.  So many of the moms I work with have a hard time getting milk established, it is hard for me to imagine that short term breastfeeding would be difficult to stop!  


Again thank you for your input.  
Lisa Paul, ICCE
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

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