| ||
| ||
|
Pregnancy Information | |
|
|
Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk: Why Women Do It
Exclusively pumping breast milk is best thought of as an alternative to formula feeding. While there are some women who decide to exclusively pump even before their babies are born, they are by far the minority. Instead, most women who exclusively pump fully intended to breastfeed and believe strongly in the benefit and value of breast milk. When confronted with difficulties or situations that make breastfeeding difficult or impossible, these women turn to the use of a breast pump to ensure their babies receive breast milk. The reasons women exclusively pump are extremely varied: the premature birth of a baby; the illness of the baby or the mother; problems with breastfeeding including such things as a poor latch, thrush, cleft palate, poor weight gain, a lack of milk (either real or perceived), and the early introduction of a bottle leading to nipple preference; and the separation of mother and baby including women who must return to work soon after the birth of their babies. It is difficult to briefly discuss the many reasons women exclusively pump, but there do tend to be some similarities in most women's experiences. Self-preservation is an often mentioned factor in the decision to exclusively pump. New mothers are overwhelmed with emotions. Hearing your baby scream every time you try to nurse, enduring extreme pain when nursing, or having a baby who is unable to get enough milk to satisfy her can add to an already tumultuous period. Also, for women who are breastfeeding, bottle feeding to top up the baby's intake, and then pumping to maintain or increase supply while the baby learns to breastfeed or the mother is able to resolve difficulties she is experiencing, the cycle becomes overwhelming and, even with a strong support network, can make it extremely difficult to continue for very long. Often a mother is not able to truly focus on mothering and enjoying her new baby, and instead, is solely focused on providing nourishment. Life becomes consumed with feeding the baby, which can, in and of itself, add additional stress to the situation making breastfeeding all that more challenging. The decision to exclusively pump can, for some women, bring back a balance in their lives and in their household and enable them to refocus on their babies while continuing to feed their babies breast milk. The decision to exclusively pump is not made lightly. The vast majority of women who decide to exclusively pump do work with lactation consultants before making their decision. And although pumping and bottle feeding becomes the primary method of feeding, many women also continue to work on breastfeeding and solving problems that were making it difficult to breastfeed. Yet, even though the hope of exclusive breastfeeding may still remain when a woman starts to pump, many women do get to a point where they no longer attempt to breastfeed. Many struggle with the emotions they feel as a result of not breastfeeding and not having the breastfeeding relationship they thought they would have with their baby. For many, the strong emotions felt when they do not see success breastfeeding are too difficult to continue reliving over and over again. The disappointment and frustration often prove to be difficult to cope with on a continuing basis and as a result the decision to exclusively pump is made. Working with a lactation consultant during these first few weeks of pumping is extremely important if a transition to exclusive breastfeeding is desired and an important time for lactation consultants to maintain close contact with women in order to assist them to breastfeed successfully. Perhaps the strongest motivating factor for exclusively pumping is the strong belief that breast milk is the best way of nourishing a baby. Most women who exclusively pump do not feel that formula is an option; it is something they would prefer not to feed their babies. Therefore, when they are confronted with difficulties breastfeeding (or the inability to breastfeed), and are unable to resolve the situation, they turn to what is often in their minds, the only option available to them. If the women who exlusively pump did not have this as an option, their babies would most likely be switched to formula. Exclusively pumping is a viable alternative to formula feeding. Knowledge is key, however. A breast pump will not initiate or maintain a milk supply in the same manner as a baby. Women who have been able to exclusively pump long-term tend to follow a similar set of guidelines. Support and accurate information are extremely important indicators of success for women who are exclusively pumping. While breastfeeding is undoubtedly the best method of feeding a baby, the fact remains that certain circumstances make breastfeeding difficult, and, sometimes, women decide to bottle feed. The reasons for this decision and the emotions that surround the decision are varied, but in all cases, exclusively pumping can ensure that it is breast milk in the bottle instead of formula and provide more babies with the best start possible in life. Copyright Stephanie Casemore, 2004 Stephanie Casemore is the author of Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk: A Guide to Providing Expressed Breast Milk for Your Baby. She exclusively pumped for one year for her son who was born nine weeks premature. Casemore also maintains her website, ExclusivelyPumping.com which is a resource site dedicated solely to the needs of women who are exclusively pumping breast milk. She is currently working to share with women the option of exclusively pumping as an alternative to formula feeding when breastfeeding has not been possible or has not worked out as expected.
MORE RESOURCES:
Pregnancy - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Fetal Development Month by Month Month 1: Your first month of pregnancy your baby will accomplish many things, first and foremost, conception, fertilization, and implantation. After a woman ovulates, the egg is normally fertilized within 24-48 hours. Hyperpigmentation - Skin Discoloration - Pregnancy Mask First and foremost I want to start by emphasizing that it can take quite a while to get rid of discoloration! It can take months to years! You will have to be patient and consistent!Ingredients that will help fade spots include Vitamin A, Kinetin, AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), Azelic Acid, Kojic Acid, Vitamin C, Mulberry Extracts, Saxifrage Extracts, Algae, Licorice Root and so on.. Preparing for a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean WHY LACK OF SUPPORT?Several years ago, ACOG, American College of Obstetrician and Gynecology stated, that the risk of vaginal birth after cesarean poses a threat of uterine rupture and isn't worth the risk to the fetus or the mother. Since then our hospitals and physicians have changed their views and policies. Labor and Delivery This is it - the finish line. You and your partner have been training for this event for the last 40 weeks and there is no turning back. Obesity And Pregnancy If you are overweight when you become pregnant, your physician will likely recommend that you gain less weight than a woman who is average or normal weight. You should not diet during pregnancy because it is vital that you supply your body and unborn baby with an adequate number of nutrients. Pregnant Running: Expectant Runners Share Stories and Advice When I became pregnant I planned to run throughout my pregnancy. I was addicted to running, had a low-risk pregnancy, and knew women were training through all nine months. Abortions After Fetal Viability Abortion is without a doubt one of the hottest and most politically divisive topics, as at least one in five of all UK women will have an abortion at some stage in their lives. This document will attempt to explore the following areas of abortion and termination:[1] The facts concerning termination of pregnancy. Smoking During Pregnancy If you have been drinking up until the point when you become pregnant or smoking it is also vital that you stop doing so immediately. Many women worry that they consumed a few alcoholic drinks prior to learning they were pregnant. Planning a Healthy Pregnancy Looking for healthy lifestyle pregnancy information? Here are some steps for planning a pregnancy with your healthy lifestyle in mind.The most important step in planning for a healthy pregnancy is getting you healthy. Piece of Mind During Pregnancy - It is Possible with Babysheart After four years of marriage my husband and I started to plan for our family. Unfortunately we ran into some fertility issues because of my endometriosis. Moral Armor on Predational Pregnancy We constantly hear of crackdowns on "dead-beat dads," but the topic of how they often originate remains hidden and deserves serious light: Dead-beat Mothers.Imagine if a toy company put out a realistic product for Christmas that had kids screaming, "I want Baby-Waste Your Life! It comes with a work book and legal kit on how to lie, how to sue, how to apply for welfare, the various addictions I'll employ when it blows up in my face and all the excuses I'll need for why my life is not my responsibility!" Why are girls given dolls when we all know what a disaster a baby actually is for a young girl? Why are we shocked, when unprepared for constructive dreams, that is what they choose?Motherhood has always been played off as a moral symbol beyond reproach, so in panic, some women move straight for its cover. How To Avoid Post Partum Depression New mothers sometimes experience "postpartum blues." This is understandable. Maintaining Balance During Your Pregnancy Pregnancy is a beautiful time. And it is also a time forout-of-control hormones which can get a little stressful andchaotic. The Developing Child We know the fetus is experiencing whatever is going on with the mother. This is the good news or the bad news as the case may be. Things You Should Avoid During Pregnancy Pregnancy is a time where you have to be careful with yourself. Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child. Pregnant Mothers and Starbucks Many mothers are addicted to caffeine and cannot handle going without during the nine months of pregnancy. The damage done to the fetus is a very critical issue in this time of development. Avoiding Episiotomy During Childbirth I coached as my wife was delivering our third child. She was at the final phase of delivery where the last few pushes would result in the birth of our second daughter. The Dos and Donts of Pregnancy With so many people giving their opinion on what to do and what not to do during pregnancy, it becomes hard to determine what is fact and what is fiction. Below is a list of some of the more important factors to consider in regards to pregnancy do's and dont's. Its Not A Sin For Pregnant Women To Have A Massage Getting pregnant is really a moment of joy. Don't get carried away with your morning sickness, or your hormone changing, keep your life going and treat yourself to a happy living. Are Epidurals Bad? EPIDURALS CAN SAVE YOU FROM THE "HORRORS" OF CHILDBIRTHIt is true that an epidural may make a woman have an easier birth, but may also complicate matters? Recently, I heard of a new study written by an anesthesiologist, stating that epidurals do not increase the woman's risk of cesareans. I immediately dismissed it as an attempt to sell a book.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
Comment by Bill Albert
