>We've probably all seen mothers doggedly keeping their baby at breast for
>hours and hours with very little swallowing - and thus, of course, very
>little chance for an increase in supply.

Diane, you are so right (as usual!). I just wanted to add a snippet
from current research going on at the Univ of Western Australia under
Peter Hartmann's guidance, where they are using ultrasound to image
the let-down reflex and blood flow to the breast during a breastfeed.

It has been found that blood flow to the breast *decreases* during a
feed, suggesting that milk synthesis may slow down during the feed
itself (opposite to what we used to think - when we thought milk was
*only* made during the feed). So this can be used to suggest to mums
trying to build supply that they should offer short, frequent feeds
rather than sit there for hours with a baby attached.
******************************************************************
Joy Anderson B.Sc. Dip.Ed. Grad.Dip.Med.Tech. IBCLC
Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia.   mailto:[log in to unmask]
******************************************************************

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