Dear Rachelle-
     I believe that there is a critical period within the first month or so
during which most moms need to make a full milk supply in order to do so
later on.  I have seen many babies with initial poor latch and/or short
frenulum who gain initially, then fall off the charts.  I think that is
because of mom's initial milk surge.  Most moms produce milk abundantly in
the first couple of weeks and any baby in the general neighborhood of the
breast can grow---but then it's the baby's job to keep up the supply.  A baby
with a poor latch or short frenulum often doesn't hold up his end of the job,
mom's milk supply falters, and without early intervention, it may never fully
recover.
    In the last decade, I have worked with two mothers whose milk supply
dramatically increased between 9 and 12 weeks post-partum.  But those were
very unusual cases.  In most cases, sadly, if the milk supply isn't
established within the first 4-6 weeks (Woolridge?), it probably won't
increase dramatically.  Sadly.
       -Debi Page Ferrarello, RN, IBCLC
    "Tuning in" to lactnet for the first time in ages on this snowy
Pennsylvania morning

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