In a message dated 3/24/99 6:38:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
>
> Carol and all:
> I have been accused, many times, of "pushing" Moms to begin and continue
> pumping for their preterm infants. I let it roll off my back because I
know
> it is best for baby (and eventually for Mom!). I am anxious to do whatever
> it
> takes to establish and support a Mom's breastmilk supply. Pumping is very
> therapeutic for most Moms, but also takes effort. Just like breastfeeding
> itself, if we make it too hard, more Mom's will give up. I didn't find
> anything relevant to this discussion on that page in Riordan & Auerbach,
but
> I
> will certainly look into the subject further.
> In our NICU on any given day, 85-90 % of Moms are pumping, and 95% of
> infants
> are receiving some form of breastmilk.
> Nancy Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
> Neonatologist
> San Diego, CA
When I gave birth to my own critically ill, pre-term baby last year, I was
shell-shocked. His problems (and early delivery) were a complete surprise to
everyone. Despite the fact that I am a breastfeeding activist and was still
breastfeeding my 2 year old at that time, pumping was the last thing on my
mind during the first few days when I was adjusting to the situation and
grieving. If the LC hadn't literally led me by the hand to the (very comfy,
on-site in the NICU) pumping room and walked me through everything, I might
have gone quite a while whithout getting started. Her attitude helped too.
She wasn't pushy. She simply quietly and calmly *assumed* that I would be
pumping just as she assumed I would eventually be taking the baby home. It was
as simple as that. No one asked if I would be breast or bottle-feeding. On the
other hand, if I had said that I didn't want to breastfeed, I'm sure theyw
ould have been gentle with me. She also really made it clear that the key to
successful supply was frequency. And there in the NICU they had a room with
snacks and drinks for BFing moms so I didn't have to leave my baby.
Katie Allison Granju
Knoxville, TN
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