Katherine Catone asked if there is any documentation for the 5% insufficient
milk syndrome statistic. Marianne Neifert wrote the following in "Colorado
Breastfeeding Update" 1995 (winter); 3:1-2: "While no conclusive studies
document the incidence of this problem, those who work extensively with
lactating mothers consistently estimate that from 1% to 5% of breastfeeding
women fail to produce sufficient milk to nourish their babies despite proper
guidance and optimal breastfeeding techniques and routines. However, this
should never have been misinterpreted to mean that 5% of all infants each year
are affected by life- threatening dehydration and starvation." The following
is what "The Wall Street Journal" article, "Dying for Milk" (July 22,1994)
originally stated Dr. Neifert said:"Though the actual number of cases is
impossible to determine, ‘insufficient-milk syndrome' may occur as much as 5%
of the time, affecting about 200,000 mothers a year in the U.S., says Marianne
Neifert."

La Leche League International has a selected bibliography available on this
topic, "The Elusive 5% Insufficient Milk Syndrome", which includes 43
references that cite the 5% statistic from books, magazines, newsletters,
newspapers, WHO publications, and professional journals. This bibliography can
be obtained from an LLL Professional Liaison Leader or from the LLLI Center
for Breastfeeding Information.

Marty O'Donnell
Park Ridge, Illinois