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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
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Sat, 10 Jun 2006 16:51:47 EDT
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I've recently kept out of this discussion, though I've certainly been  
interested in the weighty discourses both pro and con on the use of the scales,  in 
particular, the use of test weights (I remember now I mentioned how much I  
hated that phrase).  Anyway, it occurred to me in one instance where I  really 
like the use of the ac/pc weights and that is where a mother has been  
supplementing with formula a lot so that poos and pees are adequate as is the  baby's 
demeanor.  Pumping after a feed -- as many moms do as they have been  told -- 
doesn't give me any clue as to what is going on when the baby is  
breastfeeding as she generally gets 1/2 ounce or less.  So I don't know  where we are.  
Ac/pc weights are very helpful for that snapshot of how much  the baby is 
getting at that particular feed.  Why is the mom  supplementing?  Who told her to -- 
and why?  And does she need  to?  ac/pc weights do help here as I've been 
fooled way too many times by  both very quiet effective feeders and noisy 
ineffective gulpers.
 
And Jean, yes, the whole issue of caloric value of the milk is a huge one  -- 
volume only gives 1/2 the story -- if that.  I'm sure that the mums who  are 
making only 450 ml/24 hours and the babies are doing just fine on that  amount 
are making pure cream.  However, I will confess I've never heard of  a mom 
making that amount and having a baby grow well if they are exclusively  
breastfeeding.  Maybe because I'd never see a baby in that circumstance --  why would 
they be coming to me if they are growing well????
 
Back to our discussion of the use of technology in our society -- had a mom  
come to me yesterday; she was supposed to have a weight check at the  
pediatrician's, but since she was coming to see me, we canceled her visit  there.  Put 
the baby on the scale and she was back up to birth weight at 9  days of age, 
having gained 10 ounces from her low of 7-0 pounds.  Anyway,  the father 
remarked how much better he felt because the baby weighed 7-10, and  what a 
psychological difference it was to him that she wasn't 7-9, even though  that was 
only one ounce.  
 
I'm not sure we will ever get away from that in this country.  Weight  gain 
in babies is symptomatic of "loving" the baby (isn't food = love in many  
cultures?), as it has to do with "being a good mother".  Which is why many  moms 
pump and feed the milk in the bottle so they can "see how much the baby is  
getting."  Then there is that fine line as obesity is equated with  "not being a 
good mother."  If a baby isn't sleeping through the  night it is also because a 
mother isn't a good mother.  
 
We mothers are blamed for a lot of things.  And not given credit for  nearly 
enough.
 
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(") Jan Barger

_Lactation Education  Consultants_ 
(http://www.lactationeducationconsultants.com/)  
_My Mother of the Bride  Blog_ (http://www.motherofbridebyjan.blogspot.com/)  
_Torrey's  Blog_ (http://www.marriedcouplebytorrey.blogspot.com/)  






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