Lactnetters,

I just wanted to share some  thoughts and a technique the moms on the message
boards at ParentsPlace.com use to deal with this "drop in supply" which I
usually rephrase to the moms as a "reduced response to the pump".  First I
reassure them that I find it is very common and probably related to the
normal shift to autonomic control of the supply after the usual copious
supply many moms see in the beginning days and weeks.  Also, in many employed
moms it is related to the regular separations and different stimulation
provided by the pump.

Because most moms understandably see a drop in pump output as a drop in
supply, I try to remind the moms that the baby's weight gain pattern is the
only reliable tool to judge supply in the exclusively breastfed or breast
milk fed infant (even diapers can fail to tell the whole story at times
though they are a good screening method).  Pump output is a really invalid
way to judge overall supply or the baby's milk intake.   I also remind them
that a pump is not as effecient as the baby by describing the mechanics of
the pump compared to breastfeeding..ei the pump uses only suction while the
baby used suction, compression, and peristalsis and probably more mechanisms
that we haven't identified yet.

The method the moms shared with me to increase their pump output while
working is their super charged breastfeeding, pumping weekend.   These moms,
mostly employed outside the home, spend a weekend breastfeeding as often as
possible and pumping after most breastfeeding sessions.  They usually find
that after this super charged weekend that their pumping amounts have
increased (which is the real concern for them since they want to supply
breast milk in their absence.)

I am learning sooooo much from these women.

Kathy Kuhn RN BSN IBCLC
ParentsPlace.com LC
private practice LC
Pennsylvania USA

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