Karleen
I pulled out my Ruth Lawrence book (3rd edition, more recent edition at
work) and as I always do when I read this, I see just how much there is to
know and it is all very complicated. However, you may find your answers in
her chapter on Physiology of lactation. Some quotes:
"After delivery, there are low estrogen and high prolactin levels. Suckling
provides a continued stimulus for prolactin release. If prolactin, essential
for lactation, is diminished....lactation ceases....Suckling stimulates the
realease of ...prolactin and ...oxytocin. These hormones stim. milk
synthesis and production of milk ejection metabolic hormones, which are also
necessary in the process of milk synthesis. Thus suckling, emptying the
breast, and receiving adequate precursor nutrients are essetnial to
effective lactation." p. 54.
I would also like to add that early and regular milk expression provides a
source of nutrition for the baby so that if oral feeds are begun the baby
will be able to receiove his mothers milk and not an artificial substitute.
Why wait til the milk surge whcih could take several days.?

Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA

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