The “early & often” theory.  Well, here it goes.  

My whole view on it, hopefully, it won’t bore any of you.

In the early hours, days weeks (up to 3 mos. according to Lawrence & 
Lawrence) the more lactocyte cells with those open receptors that are laid 
down via nursing, pumping, hand expressing (stimulation in general); will yield 
increased levels of the hormone prolactin and that hormone will be sent to 
those receptors on those lactocyte cells.  IF there isn’t frequent stimulation 
(at night as well) to “fill up” those cell sites, of course they are going to 
get “filled with” progesterone (or something else!).  As it was once explained 
to me, the whole lactocyte cell with its receptors and progesterone & 
prolactin & HPL…it’s all a “lock & key” system…makes sense..some of those are 
antagonistic & some not, some are synergists :)
Another interesting thought (I find it interesting, you all probably already know 
this or may not agree, to each his own of course) is, these mothers that have 
supply problems, are there any significant levels of HPL still in their system?  
Do we know exactly when those levels completely diminish? 
The reason I ask this is, it was once brought to my attention from a personal 
friend of mine (RN) that there are SOME (not all!) doctors who will give the 
umbilical cord a nice “tug” to SPEED UP the whole process of delivering the 
placenta….in some women, might this possibly leave small fragments (maybe 
large enough for *that* mom) of the placenta in the uterus to make the HPL 
levels high enough to compete with prolactin for those receptor sites?  Does 
make sense, but who truly knows, EVERY SINGLE WOMAN can respond 
differently to anything…
As for the mentioning of all of the induced lactation and relactating etc. 
wouldn’t the same theory of “opening up those cell cites” in the beginning also 
ring somewhat true?  These are just *my* rambling thoughts on all of this….

I believe I asked this before, I hope someone can answer.  How often (or is it 
necessary) are these moms (with inexplicable low supply issues) referred to an 
endocrinologist for a blood test or whatever? Or are those levels of HPL and 
progesterone and all of those other *nasty, interfering, antagonistic* (with 
reference to lactation of course) hormones, etc.  done by a blood test at their 
doctor’s office?

Respectfully, (because gracious knows, you have ALL seen this WAY more 
than I),
Joy Kahler
LLL of Wyoming, USA

Ps..the basis of my knowledge on all of this *stuff* comes from MANY 
sources.  I’ve sat through MANY sessions with Karin Cadwell & Linda Smith, 
read Jan Riordan’s work, some Lawrence & Lawrence & of course LLL and 
various other info as well  ;)  But again, some of this is my *own* 
interpretation of it too!

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