This doesn't relate to breastfeeding, per se, but the topic of menarche which may or may not be influenced by breastfeeding.  My oldest (barely 12) daughter is a pre-professional ballerina and the thinner young women she dances with do not usually get their menses until they have enough body fat, regardless of weight or height.  While the concerns of very early menarche are valid, I have concerns about these young women (some are anorexic and some are merely very, very thin) who do not get their periods until their latter teens *or* experience extended amenorrhea while in their teens.  I am assuming from studies of amenorrheic athletes (dancers included) that their bone densities are abysmal.  I provide educational seminars for the ballet students and bone health is an important topic...and I always work breastfeeding their children into the discussion!

I also find it interesting that some young girls have quite a bit of discomfort, even pain, as their breast buds "appear"...that very early stage of development.  My oldest daughter was in such pain that it reminded me of how I feel during most of pregnancy, so this whole topic of physical maturation raises the question about the role of genetics being (possibly) stronger than external factors, even breastfeeding.  Any thoughts or good articles to share?

Rambling away without much focus but a lot of fascination,
Rebecca DeYoung Daniels, MBA, RD, LD, IBCLC, RLC & MOM to 5 in KS

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html