When mom is away, some caregivers give the baby a bottle at every squeak,
rather than looking for other ways to settle and amuse the baby.  The result
can be overfeeding and a mom who is unable to keep-up with the demand for
her pumped milk.

This is one of the instances where use of a pacifier may be humane and
helpful.  Sucking from a bottle does not provide as much "sucking
satisfaction" as the baby gets from suckling from the breast.  Some babies
take in too much because they don't realize how full their stomachs have
gotten so quickly, when they still want to suck.  I am convinced that this
is why pacifiers were created --to give bottle feed babies the extra sucking
that breastfeeding babies get during feedings.

Holding the breastfed baby after a reasonable amount has been fed by bottle,
and offering it a pacifier for sucking is an option to consider.  This will
stretch the amount of pumped milk the mom provides, and help the baby (and
caregiver) to be more content in mom's absence.

Barb Berges BS, RN, IBCLC
Rochester, New York

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