Prof Peter Hartmann and his research group (in Perth Western
Australia), have done some very elegant and useful studies into
control of milk supply and rate of milk synthesis. Their studies are
explained very well in the JHL Vol 11 no 1 March 1995.
They have used computerised breast measurement techniques to
calculate the volume of each breast, in such a way that the
measurements are reproducible over time eg a mother can have her
breast volume measured, then feed baby, then have volume measured
again, and thus calculate amount of milk removed from breast. If
volume of breast is measured just before the next feed, the rate of
milk synthesis can be calculated.
Peter has found that there is a marked variation in milk storage
capacity from mother to mother, and also breast to breast. Some women
can store so much milk in  a breast that baby could feed just once a
day if its stomach could hold it all!!! (jokingly). Others have a
much smaller storage capacity, so baby can't get a whole day's milk
in one feed. Although they may have different storage capacities,
their volume of milk synthesised over 24 hours has no relation to
this. It goes back to supply and demand. The more the breast is
emptied, the faster the rate of milk synthesis.
This may also explain why some babies feed more frequently than
others, or why some women need to pump more frequently to get the
desired milk volume.

This has been discussed on lactnet in the past, and there have been
some very eloquent explanations of the workings of these things.

Hope this helps

Fiona


Fiona Coombes MBBS IBCLC               [log in to unmask]
Lactation Consultant, Family Physician
Perth Western Australia