Your humble blogger, quoted in Newsweek

One of my readers pointed out that I was quoted in a Newsweek article on milk donation a few weeks ago. Read the article here:

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/16/others-milk.html

I did an interview with the reporter awhile back and forgot all about it! I am happy to see this topic being covered.

Lactation Consultations by Skype

In a previous thread on increasing breastfeeding rates, one commenter remarked about the first days of breastfeeding: "It's usually those hours you need someone that no one is available."   I remember one evening calling my birth hospital in desperation.  A caring nurse spent time on the phone with me, though all she could offer was general advice and emotional support.  This helped, but it would have been wonderful to have a lactation consultant to speak to.

A company called Milkalicious is offering lactation consultation appointments by Skype.  The cost is $45 per hour, and a check of their availability showed same-day appointments.  I'm sure LCing by computer can't compare to having an expert with you in person (I remember mine moving things around to try to guide us), but having that kind of resource could at least provide some strategies and support to new moms.

There is also a National Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662.  La Leche League-trained Breastfeeding Information Specialists can answer "basic breastfeeding questions."  Unfortunately, it's not a 24-hour hotline.  The US government also offers an "Easy Guide to Breastfeeding."  Online support forums can also be a support system, though the advice is usually from other moms, not trained professionals.

It's those times when we are forced to make hard choices about newborn baby feeding that have far-reaching effects for both baby and mom.  If every new mom left the birthplace with a contact of a trained support person available around the clock, we would have a better chance of working through those difficult moments and coming out the other side as nursing moms.

Backpedaling

The exclusively-pumping world refers to "dropping pumps" as the slow process of reducing the number of times we pump per day.  Interestingly, many moms experience an increase in supply as they drop pumps.  However, there is a point at which supply decreases.  I pumped four times a day for quite a few months, getting about 40 ounces consistently each day.  Recently, I started pumping three times a day from time to time, when my schedule didn't allow four.  Then I went three times for a week straight, and suddenly, my supply dropped to under 30 ounces per day. 

This is just about exactly what Sam eats, and we have a freezer full of milk too.  So he has plenty to eat now.  But I've been daydreaming about pumping past the one-year mark--and what if my supply continues to dwindle?  I also had my heart set on donating more milk--those preemies need milk more than I need my 20 minutes back!

So, I am backpedaling, pumping four times a day again in hopes of getting my supply back.  There's definitely no guarantee though, and I am feeling slightly guilty about getting lazy and overconfident and allowing this to happen.
I will try, but if I'm down to 30 for good, I will accept it and carry on. 

Yours Truly

Some of my readers know me only as Babyfood, so maybe you'll indulge me to share a bit about myself.

My name is Lynne and I'm 33.  I live and work in rural Massachusetts, near the Quabbin reservoir.  My husband Max is a full-time dad to our eight month old son, Sam, and part-time freelance recording engineer.  But what happened before this picture might surprise you.

I was a kid of divorced parents and grew up commuting between Richmond, Virginia and rural western New York.  I struck out for New York City when I was 20 to pursue a career in the music biz; I worked in music studios and played bass in a string of rock bands.   I met Max in 2000, where we were both working in the same studio.  In September, 2001, from the rooftop of our downtown Manhattan apartment, we watched the twin towers burn and fall, and my life turned a corner.  I envisioned a person who could break the mold she created for herself.  I accepted Max's spontaneous marriage proposal on a trek in Costa Rica and started dreaming big. We got married on his parent's farm in Massachusetts and daydreamed about living here one day.  I was 26, and incredibly lucky in so many ways.

I went back to school to earn my MBA at Columbia Business School.  I now had earning power outside the city and I started looking for work near where Max grew up--and found it as head of marketing for a non-profit.  We bought a house, got pregnant, and the rest you know.

Life couldn't be any better, thanks to Max and Sam.  And our families.  And our 2 acres near a small New Englad town, where I grow a ramshackle garden, cook, sew, and raise my baby with a natural, common-sense style. 

Thanks for reading, as always.

Me & my babe Sam, May 2010.