question?

[Sassafras]

I was at the doctors office a week ago and the doctor ask me why the hospitals were pushing breast pumps so much.
She wanted to know why they were not just helping the new moms breastfeed.
Any feed back on this topic so I can give her an answer?
TIA, Sassy

[Nipple_nectar]

I think that hospitals may be in the line of thinking that breastmilk from a pump is still better than formula feeding and there are a percentage of women who may be inclined to try the pump that for whatever reasons, would not consider doing it straight from the tap.

That's just a guess.

[Sassafras]

thanks darlin

[3girls2luv]

In our hospital we get a lot of moms who are going back to work in 4-6wks so we teach them about pumping and storing before they even go home so they know how to do it when the time comes.

[bigstuffs3]

Maybe it's because it can be crucial for babies that are born early, and lots of babies are born early now.

[3girls2luv]

Maybe it's because it can be crucial for babies that are born early, and lots of babies are born early now.


This is true too.

[TayNRobbiesMom]

Some see pumping "easier" and i think in a busy hospital its easier to hook 'em up sometimes...NO offense to those here that work in mat wards...You all are great!

I wish I would have known about Eping w/ my 1st. I know now that She wasn't latching great and I had an oversupply which lead to waayyyy early weaning and honestly I wasn't comfortable putting her to breast. When DH asked for a pump in the hospital i was told "It hurts just as much so if you can't deal w/ baby pumping will be too much also"

[3girls2luv]

Some see pumping "easier" and i think in a busy hospital its easier to hook 'em up sometimes...NO offense to those here that work in mat wards...You all are great!

I wish I would have known about Eping w/ my 1st. I know now that She wasn't latching great and I had an oversupply which lead to waayyyy early weaning and honestly I wasn't comfortable putting her to breast. When DH asked for a pump in the hospital i was told "It hurts just as much so if you can't deal w/ baby pumping will be too much also"

Wow.

[Maret00]

I think because lots of moms go back to work my son was in the NICU at first and they didnt think he would have nursed so I was hooked up. He did fine but I was so new at everything I made a lot of stupid mistakes when we started but that is something else.

I think lots of nurses/moms/people in general think that if they can see what they are pumping they will know what the baby is getting. Which is a problem as is since not all women get much from pumping. So then if women only get any oz or 2 they are then told they dont make enough and need to pump to encreass supply. Which then leads to mother not thinking she is making enough and early wiening. Or a women living by her pump.

Some of my ideas on the subject! ;)

[TayNRobbiesMom]

[/B]

Wow.

Yea, WIC told me the same thing... now I know better but couldn't pump if i had to...go figure.

[Maret00]

Wow!

I am trying to get a peer couslor postion at WIC and I hope I can change things for other people.

[StillSingingMom]

I think lots of nurses/moms/people in general think that if they can see what they are pumping they will know what the baby is getting. Which is a problem as is since not all women get much from pumping. So then if women only get any oz or 2 they are then told they dont make enough and need to pump to encreass supply. Which then leads to mother not thinking she is making enough and early wiening. Or a women living by her pump.

Some of my ideas on the subject! ;)

I hear this a lot. I run into women who are trying to check on how much milk their babies are getting by pumping and feeding in a bottle. They have no idea that 1. introducing a bottle to early brings a set of problems, and 2. pumping is not a way to measure output.

[sealy]

I know that some health insurance plans cover some of the price of a pump, so the Docs encourage pump education as a way for working moms to continue BFing. My OB wrote me a prescription for a pump (even though I already had one) as part of my discharge papers for any insurance credits.
I don't see why it's ever a bad thing to have & know how to be comfortable using a pump. Yes, nursing is best, but baby will need to get a bottle at some point, no?

[Amy_G_]

I know that some health insurance plans cover some of the price of a pump, so the Docs encourage pump education as a way for working moms to continue BFing. My OB wrote me a prescription for a pump (even though I already had one) as part of my discharge papers for any insurance credits.
I don't see why it's ever a bad thing to have & know how to be comfortable using a pump. Yes, nursing is best, but baby will need to get a bottle at some point, no?


NO!
For a full time, main breadwinner mother, a pump can be a lifesaver for a breastfeeding.
But I believe MOST moms will never find a reason to pump.
If mom is working part time for 4 hours a day, usually breastfeeding can be worked around that.

A pump is not a necessity --many times it becomes an expectation that a new breastfeeding mom will need a breastpump, kind of like assuming all babies need a crib.

My gut reaction to a hospital pushing breastpumps is that they are getting some kind of kick back for recommending a certain pump and/or actually selling or renting the pump thru the hospital. I don't really trust those kinds of situations in hospitals ever since realizing how much $ hospitals get for pushing formula and "giving away" so many new mom formula bags.

[_Gypsy_]

My kids nursed until they were 4, and neither ever had a bottle.

About half the women I know who breastfed past a year, also never gave bottles to their kids.

[sealy]

NO!My gut reaction to a hospital pushing breastpumps is that they are getting some kind of kick back for recommending a certain pump and/or actually selling or renting the pump thru the hospital. I don't really trust those kinds of situations in hospitals ever since realizing how much $ hospitals get for pushing formula and "giving away" so many new mom formula bags.

LOL - they gave me all kinds of formula. DD will be a year old in 1 week & we've yet to touch the stuff! They never recommended any specific kind of pump to me and the hospital staff was very pro-BFing. They kept a log of our nursing sessions, recommended me to their in-house BFing class (free), offered LC services (free) and the nurses would watch most feedings to help with latch or positioning.

I don't get the resistance towards pumps. I think they can give a BFing SAHM a greater sense of freedom. I'm one of those, for sure! I pump once a day to build up milk in the freezer for the occasional bottle & to keep my supply up a little higher than it needs to be to account for growth spurts & when AF comes (she's been back for a few months & the drop in my supply is significant).

The moms I know who go back to work are away from their LO for 8-12 hours - that certainly requires pumping. In this economy, I think the relatively small investment in a pump to allow for continue BFing while staying financially afloat is a no-brainer!

[Shaunsmom]

I know that some health insurance plans cover some of the price of a pump, so the Docs encourage pump education as a way for working moms to continue BFing. My OB wrote me a prescription for a pump (even though I already had one) as part of my discharge papers for any insurance credits.
I don't see why it's ever a bad thing to have & know how to be comfortable using a pump. Yes, nursing is best, but baby will need to get a bottle at some point, no?

Haven't read the rest of the post...but I'm probably not the first to say "no" a baby doesn't have to have a bottle at any point:)

[StillSingingMom]

ITA with Amy...

My first baby had a bottle now and then while I was working on Reserve duty. But he didn't really like it and I realized by the second baby that a cup was just fine. I gave my pump to my little sister, because I didn't need it at all, at all.

[Jacksmommy]

I never pumped. My son never took a bottle. It's not necessary - at least not for all of us.

[sealy]

I wasn't meaning to offend - sorry if I did.
All of the new moms I know needed a pump for one reason or another, whether it be for going back to work, a business trip, weekend away with DH, spa day with girlfriends, going to a wedding - whatever. All of those situations require expressed milk, so I just don't see what the alternative would be (aside from formula). Am I missing something?

[Amy_G_]

Many moms just plan things so they don't have to be away from baby at a time of day when baby usually eats during the first 6 months. Once baby begins to eat any solids, that can be given when mom is away if it is an occassional thing.

You could also manually express enough milk for a sipper cup if necessary.
And yes, I gave formula the couple times I was away from baby and had not pumped milk. It was much cheaper than a several hundred dollar pump to use for a couple ounces of milk.

[sealy]

And yes, I gave formula the couple times I was away from baby and had not pumped milk. It was much cheaper than a several hundred dollar pump to use for a couple ounces of milk.

But if your health insurance will pay for the pump, why not use it? I'm still not getting why it's so harmful?

[Amy_G_]

I believe it is harmful to set up a woman to EXPECT that they will HAVE to pump.

Many women cannot effectively let down for a pump and then they think they have a supply issue and prematurely wean.
Early introduction of bottles has a similar effect with bottle nipple preference (bottle confusion) for many babies.
Most insurance companies will not cover the cost of the pump without some kind of deductible, and many cannot afford the cost.
And honestly, many women can "handle" the idea of breastfeeding, but the idea of having to pump makes them think cow, and that turns them off to the whole idea.

The pump is a useful tool,
just like formula is a useful tool,
cribs, bottles, pacifiers.
all tools in mother's toolbox, but not absolutely necessary.

[StillSingingMom]

Many moms just plan things so they don't have to be away from baby at a time of day when baby usually eats during the first 6 months.


This.

Introducing a bottle too early often causes problems with breastfeeding. Handing a new mom a pump sends a message- "You need a pump in order to breastfeed, and you'll need bottles, too."

It also reinforces, for some people, the idea that breastfeeding shouldn't be seen in public. I've heard a lot of moms say that they had to pump so they could take their babies shopping, or to the mall, or even the park! They're pumping for use while they are with the baby!

Now, I understand that some women are just not comfortable nursing a baby. And some women are wigged out by nursing in public.

Still, nursing should be the norm. And nursing in public should also be the norm. I am not anti-pump. But I am sensitive to the way that the pump allows the uninformed to assume that breastfeeding can be "hidden" so people don't have to see it. And how people assume that you can use the pump to measure output.

[maksmom]

[QUOTE=StillSingingMom;669652]

It also reinforces, for some people, the idea that breastfeeding shouldn't be seen in public. I've heard a lot of moms say that they had to pump so they could take their babies shopping, or to the mall, or even the park! They're pumping for use while they are with the baby!
QUOTE]

This always baffeled me.

I pump because I work. But I try not to pump for the first 6 weeks, so I can establish supply and just concentrate on nursing. I have been able to take 10 to 12 weeks off after each of my last 3 babies, so I still have plenty of time to build a freezer stash. (I have to return to work on Monday, Boo-Hoo, but I have over 200 ozs in the freezer right now.)

Pumps have their place, but we (the collective we) need to be very careful how they are presented (marketed) to new moms.

[Maret00]

NO!
For a full time, main breadwinner mother, a pump can be a lifesaver for a breastfeeding.
But I believe MOST moms will never find a reason to pump.
If mom is working part time for 4 hours a day, usually breastfeeding can be worked around that.
A pump is not a necessity --many times it becomes an expectation that a new breastfeeding mom will need a breastpump, kind of like assuming all babies need a crib.

My gut reaction to a hospital pushing breastpumps is that they are getting some kind of kick back for recommending a certain pump and/or actually selling or renting the pump thru the hospital. I don't really trust those kinds of situations in hospitals ever since realizing how much $ hospitals get for pushing formula and "giving away" so many new mom formula bags.


But most jobs like mine part time did not mean part of the day. I worked 2 or 3 full days which at my company is 8.5 hours. Plus Getting things ready before leaving the house driving to a friends to drop son off driving a half hour to work working all day then driving back by that time traffic would make it longer and then picking up baby I wanted to pump when I got home while nursing my son on the other side just to feel some releave. So part time work wasnt part of the day. Also I dont think a lot of families can afford for moms to stay home as it was I needed to work more then I was but couldnt afford the day care.

[Maret00]

Many moms just plan things so they don't have to be away from baby at a time of day when baby usually eats during the first 6 months. Once baby begins to eat any solids, that can be given when mom is away if it is an occassional thing.

You could also manually express enough milk for a sipper cup if necessary.
And yes, I gave formula the couple times I was away from baby and had not pumped milk. It was much cheaper than a several hundred dollar pump to use for a couple ounces of milk.

I could never get more then a squart when hand expressing for the times when I forgot my pump. I tried but it just didnt happen. I never got more then 3oz pumping to I just need baby but sad to say I couldnt always be with him.

[Camille]

This.

Introducing a bottle too early often causes problems with breastfeeding. Handing a new mom a pump sends a message- "You need a pump in order to breastfeed, and you'll need bottles, too."

It also reinforces, for some people, the idea that breastfeeding shouldn't be seen in public. I've heard a lot of moms say that they had to pump so they could take their babies shopping, or to the mall, or even the park! They're pumping for use while they are with the baby!

Now, I understand that some women are just not comfortable nursing a baby. And some women are wigged out by nursing in public.

Still, nursing should be the norm. And nursing in public should also be the norm. I am not anti-pump. But I am sensitive to the way that the pump allows the uninformed to assume that breastfeeding can be "hidden" so people don't have to see it. And how people assume that you can use the pump to measure output.

I totally agree with this... and a few of my family members (biodad's side, nobody nursed their babies) told me that I was damaging Anne Marie by nursing her, that I should pump and get her off the boob (at three months old!!!). !@#$%^&*!

You should see how appalled they are at the fact I'm still nursing her... at 15 + months. :gig:


Some people do believe that pumping and giving bottles is the "right" thing to do. Just like some people still believe that nursing is unnecessary past 6 months (like my mom, who is a nurse!) and will say that I'm stupid for still nursing Anne... I generally don't bother correcting them anymore. Usually, I just whip out my boob and squirt milk in their general direction.





Ok, not really. I just ignore crappy advice.

[Maret00]

My sister and I just got into it because she told me my son was to old to nurse and she understud that breastmilk is good for him but I should be pumping him milk and giving it to him in the bottle. Well I shut her down big time. If my son wants to nurse at 5, 10, 15 so be it (though I would like to be done by the time he is 4) and my husband supports me.

[Amy_G_]

My sister and I just got into it because she told me my son was to old to nurse and she understud that breastmilk is good for him but I should be pumping him milk and giving it to him in the bottle. Well I shut her down big time. If my son wants to nurse at 5, 10, 15 so be it (though I would like to be done by the time he is 4) and my husband supports me.
That's pushing it a bit,
but is a topic for another thread on another day....

[Maret00]

I agree but to if I want to push my sis buttons I will tell her that.

Plus I heard most kids loss there ability to suck/nurse around 8 or 9 so I think a am good. And like I have said my hubby is from Africa and says as a kid other kids would be nursing for a long time he remembers at soccor games kids would run to there moms to nurse during half time so for him it is normal. When I tell my sister that she really loses it.

[sealy]

[QUOTE=Amy_G_;669606]I believe it is harmful to set up a woman to EXPECT that they will HAVE to pump.[\QUOTE]

For me, it's all about how it's presented.

My OB wrote me a bunch of prescriptions (even though I had a 100% unmedicated birth) including the one for the pump. This was the only mention of pumping during my 48 hours stay in the hospital. I also got prescriptions for 600mg Motrin & a laxative. I didn't fill any of the prescriptions because I didn't need them.

I frankly don't quite understand the expectation part, as it's my body & my life, shouldn't it be what I expect of myself & my nursing relationship with my baby?

Oh well, to each their own...