I am re-sending a post that I sent a number of years ago when this
topic came up.  I used this protocol throughout my lactation practice
with good outcomes.

Pat Gima, Retired
________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.  Obviously the decrease
varies among women, as some women never experience this drop in milk.
This lower blood calcium level (along with magnesium) 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
they were able to have little or no uterine cramping.

I recommend supplementation for mothers who call me with this supply
problem. The amount of added ca/mag is variable, of course.  I
suggest that she add 1000mg additional supplement. The more meat that
we eat the more Ca/Mag we need. Usually it takes the higher doses to
accomplish the desired goal. 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 or just begun.  I suggest that they
begin immediately with 1000mg 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).
And dissuade someone's taking Tums for their calcium.  It is not an
adequate dietary supplement and it is an antacid, while calcium needs
an acidic gastric environment for assimilation.

Hey, I wonder if the 4-month supply drop, or those illusive "growth
spurts," could be related to calcium levels in the blood? I'll try
ca/mag supplementation the next time a client calls with a sudden
drop in supply.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

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