For some women (I was one) there is a drop in milk supply beginning 
about a week before a menstrual period and continuing a few days into 
the period. I researched this when my babies were feeding and found 
that from mid-cycle until a couple of days into the period, there is 
a steady decrease in blood calcium levels.  (I don't know why.) 
Obviously the decrease varies among women, as some women never 
experience this drop in milk. This lower blood calcium level is also 
the cause of uterine cramping before and in the first days of the period.

I began to take a calcium/magnesium supplement from mid-cycle until 3 
days into my period. The milk supply was maintained. When my 
daughters began menstruating, I had them follow the same plan and, 
with the supplement, they were able to have little or no uterine cramping.

A breastfeeding mother needs 1500mg of calcium a day. There is 
calcium in many foods so she doesn't have to take the entire amount 
in supplement even if she is on a dairy-free diet.

I recommend supplementation for mothers who call me with a supply 
problem before and in the early days of menses. The amount of added 
ca/mag is variable, of course.  I suggest that she add 1000mg of 
Calcium and 500mg of magnesium a day . The more meat that we eat the 
more Ca/Mag we need. Usually it takes the higher doses to accomplish 
the desired goal. Vegetarians could begin with the 500mg dose. The 
added ca/mag has resolved the problem in all of my clients who have tried it.

It can even be effective if they call me with the decrease in supply 
and say that a period is due.  I suggest that they begin immediately 
with 1000mg/500mg of ca/mag. and there is usually an increase in 
supply within 24 hours.

One problem is to determine when "mid-cycle" is with a mother just 
resuming menses.  I suggest that she take the supplement throughout 
the month until she sees a pattern of cycling.

One shouldn't take calcium without magnesium in a 2/1 ratio (the 
ratio that is found in foods and is usually found in 
supplements).  Without magnesium assimilation of the calcium is 
low.  And dissuade someone's taking Tums for her calcium.  It is not 
an adequate dietary supplement and it is an antacid, while calcium 
needs an acidic gastric environment for assimilation. She could end 
up with less available calcium than if she did nothing.

In my 25 years as LC, I changed my recommendations on a number of 
issues, but not on this one because it was so effective.

Patricia Gima, Retired LC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

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