You probably don't want to know the words that came to mind when I read the
docs comments about this 33 y.o. mother's ability to make enough milk for
twins.

Let's see...How many MOTs/MOMs have passed through our LLL group for mothers
of multiples since it began 22 years ago? I don't have an exact count; I can
only say it's been a bunch. These mothers have ranged in age from 19-45+.
They have conceived with and without the help of assisted reproductive
technology (ART) for various kinds of infertility issues. I have noted NO
variable that seems to consistently be a red flag re: milk production. (This
is after figuring in maternal and neonate variables related to pregnancy or
birth complications, poor starts, meds used, etc. which are more common with
multiples.) In my 22+ years of experience, the 35 y.o. (or older) primip
having twins thanks to IVF may have no trouble producing gobs of milk,
whereas the 29 y.o. multip who fully breastfed 2 previous singletons and just
"got lucky" when it came to conceiving twins may find her body unable to keep
up with her babies' needs. Or vice versa.

I'd love to see some scientific evidence on this topic. Please ask these docs
for the research refs they're using to make these statements. I'd hope
they're providing evidence-based information, and I sincerely would like any
refs. I have not been able to find anything in the literature re: age or
infertility as a factor in decreased milk production. If someone has
something, please forward those refs--or search terms used--to me.

I will say that these docs have now given this expectant MOT what is
essentially a "post-hypnotic" suggestion re: she can't produce enough. I hope
it doesn't become a self-fulfilling prophecy! (Which may explain why these
docs don't see MOT over 30 y.o. who can produce enough for two or more!)
AAAAArgh!!

Karen

In a message dated 00-01-11 08:17:16 EST, you write:

<< I have been out of it lately so I was hoping someone could help me out.  =
 What is the latest research on maternal age diminishing milk supply? =20

 The reason I ask is for a mother of twins whom I recently talked to.  =
 Her doctor called a well-know doctor who supports breastfeeding and =
 speaks at LLLI conferences and was told the mom won't have enough milk =
 for her twins because of her age.  To top it off, a League friend =
 presented the MOT's case to Dr. Sears and he reportedly backed the =
 doctor's opinion up.  Is there anything to this?  We all can cite cases =
 of older mother of multiples who had no problem with exclusively =
 breastfeeding their babies. =20 >>

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