"...in this give-away scenario, pumps are framed as a needed accessory for use in the normal course of breastfeeding and this, *in itself* distances women from breastfeeding." Yes, I think that this pump-as-necessary-to-BF message, which of course all the folks making and marketing the things are happy to promote, is a big part of the problem. Especially when pumps are distributed at the hospital, routinely, to every BFing mother before discharge; that seems to send a very clear message that you *need* one of these. It comes from the "medical experts" at the hospital, after all, and it says right here on my discharge sheet that I've been instructed in its use (bogus - most of the time they're just handed out with a bunch of other junk), so it must be important. Reminds me of baby oil...although I'd cared for a lot of infants before me son was born, I had absolutely no idea what you were supposed to do with baby oil (on a baby, anyway - everyone knew back then that baby oil was for getting a sun tan!). Didn't matter, I bought a huge bottle of the stuff anyway - that's part of what a "good mom" has on hand for the baby, right? Got another free sample of it in the hospital. Still no clue what the heck it was for. Never did find out - just threw away the bottle 4 years ago, when the "baby" was 18! But I was always nagged by this idea that surely I was supposed to be using it for *something* with the baby. But back to the pump: it's a valuable and important tool, WHEN YOU NEED IT, but until that time comes, and unless you get the assistance you need to use it effectively for your situation, it's just a bunch of plastic gizmos. Makes a good sand/bath toy. We need to differentiate between pump mania, which indeed we suffer from in the US at least, and its appropriate and effective use as a tool, one among others, to help women solve a variety of different BFing problems. Of which engorgement is one, which is where this particular discussion started. Cathy Bargar, RN, IBCLC Ithaca NY *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html