----- Original Message ----- From: "gonneke van veldhuizen" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 11:02 AM Subject: Re: [LACTNET] Complicated case--storing colustrum prenatally? > Dear friends, **Hi Gonneke, > It is a nice video, indeed. It shows how easy and important handexpression > of colostrum is. I do have some second thoughts, though. > I don't like all the hands on mom that aren't hers. I'd rather see mom do > it herself following instructions of the HCP. Or perhaps HCP guiding moms > own hands. I think it is not a very effective way of empowering women to > handle their breasts for them. **I was happy to see the routine explained, but agree with your second thoughts, just like I have hesitations concerning the tight grip on the baby's head in one of the other video clips... > About routinely hand express and spoon feed following every breastfeeding > of a healthy term newborn. If baby does a good job at breast I see no need > to hand express and top up. Baby will get all colostrum he needs by simply > feeding at breast as often as he needs. If feeding at breast is not well, > I think hand expressing and spoon feeding is a great way of providing > food, getting baby more alert and protecting milkproduction all in one. **I was wondering about that, too. Is this really meant to be done? Or did I miss a context of a child not thriving? If mom still feels very full after a feeding, some extra hand expression to keep the breast souple might not be a bad idea, but then I would prefer the colostrum to be stored, 'just in case' it might be needed at a later moment, and leave the baby to feeding on demand by acting upon early cues. > Warmly, > > Gonneke, IBCLC, LLLL in southern Netherlands, where the first spring > flowers are peekig out of their winter-nest **In the northern Netherlands, they are waking up as well. I even heard birds sing in a way that made me think Spring is in the air! :-) Bye, Marianne Vanderveen *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome