In a message dated 6/19/02 3:56:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> So actually, your information confirms my thoughts
> that oversupply is a perception problem either by the mother or the LC.
> What
> we are actually seeing is breastmilk production shutting down(weaning)
> causing higher levels of IgA and lactoferrin.
>

Valerie,
Are you saying you do not believe that some women can have over production
problems?  And what appears to be over production is weaning?
Granted that some reasons for women having very full breast may be due to
infrequent feedings but I have personally experienced along with observing
other women with over production.
When a women has over production I note the following; the breast fill
quickly after feedings, tendency of leaking between feedings and opposite
side leaking during feedings, the baby is a noisy eater with loud gasping
swallows and some times choking on the let down, the baby has large weight
gains, and the babies tend to be spitters with potential for Reflux.  If a
mother describes these tendencies in the first child, the same events occur
with future children.
One of my theories and some women produce more prolactin than others and
partly why I have this theory is that women with known pituitary tumors have
exhibited the above symptoms postpartum.
I have not suggested that women who come to me with over production have
prolactin levels drawn because I could not justify this test.  This would
certainly be a good research idea and I plan to ask Peter Hartman next month
on his ideas.
Ann Perry RN, IBCLC
Boston, MA

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