Why am I preparing for an apocalypse?
At a Raising Mamas group meeting which I attended recently, the (now) common practice of expressing breastmilk in addition to breastfeeding to collect a “freezer stash” was discussed. Several of the mothers felt they “should” be pumping daily to store their breastmilk in case they became sick or were separated from their babies unexpectedly. Some in the group agreed they felt better when they had a quantity of expressed breastmilk on standby in the freezer, and joked about competitive freezer stash discussions among some Mums. However, one Mum wisely reflected on the unnecessary pressure she had been putting on herself to manage expressing sessions in addition to responsively breastfeeding her baby, and asked herself “Why am I preparing for an apocalypse?”
This led to discussion about potential scenarios when the EBM stash may be needed, and how much was “enough”. I asked the group “Consider what would happen if you were suddenly hospitalised with suspected appendicitis?” In Australia you would most likely be able to keep your baby roomed in with you, and possibly your partner as well to help with care. You could continue breastfeeding as normal, or express each feed for baby as needed. If baby was cared for away from the hospital you would express regularly to maintain your supply, and send the milk home for baby. Even if you had surgery you would be able to breastfeed your baby as soon as you’re fully awake. So potentially you wouldn’t need any of the stored breastmilk, or maybe enough for 2 or 3 feeds.
“What about when you’re going back to work?” A breastfeeding mother needs to express during her work day to maintain her supply. In fact it is a legal requirement in Australia for workplaces to allow time for a mother to pump and to provide a private separate location (which is not a toilet zone). During an 8 hour shift, the mother may need to express once or twice, as she is likely to breastfeed her baby before work and on arriving home. The milk she collects is likely to be enough for the next work day’s feeds. Again, the freezer stash might not be accessed, or only occasionally.
I asked the group “Are there any potential hazards to expressing and consequently producing more breastmilk than your baby needs?” We discussed the continuous feedback process of “supply and demand” which is unique and dynamic between every breastfeeding mother and baby. The mothers understood that responding to baby’s episodes of “cluster feeding” was necessary and normal, particularly when baby has a growth spurt (or leap). I explained how periods of increased feeding frequency not only adjust the volume of milk produced, but also alter the constituents (recipe) of the breastmilk to meet their growing babies’ ever-changing needs.
Direct breastfeeding enables the optimal transfer of nutrition plus natural protective organisms and hormones to baby. According to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s MASTITIS Protocol #36, “the lactating breast is a dynamic gland that responds to internal and external hormonal stimulation... Oversupply of breastmilk, called hyperlactation, is one of the most common causes of mastitis... frequent pumping disrupts the milk microbiome, potentiating the development of mammary dysbiosis and increasing the risk for bacterial mastitis.” The group agreed this was a bullet they all hoped to dodge! The discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on how social trends can increase pressures on new mothers which may be unnecessary and potentially unhelpful.
Reference: ABM Protocol #36 p374 https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf
#Breastfeeding #Pumpingbreastmilk #storingbreastmilk #Breastpumps #Mastitis
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