To Barbara Wilson-Clay and others re: effect of diabetes:

Colostrum becomes mature milk because of lactose synthesis. The main
difference between colostrum and mature milk is fluid volume and lactose -
the increasing amounts of lactose starts drawing more fluid into the alveolus
and out comes MILK.  If the woman's lactose synthesis mechanism is messed up
(i.e., diabetes) this whole process can be delayed.  Dr. Peter Hartmann says
normal lactogenesis is 30-40 hours post delivery of placenta but in diabetic
women it's often 50-60 hours post delivery.  In the meantime, the baby still
gets colostrum!  Hmmm- I wonder if the delay in exposing the baby to lactose
somehow is beneficial to the baby born into a family with a history of
diabetes?  Especially since early exposure to cow milk protein is linked with
more diabetes, and diabetes is linked to cow milk consumption on a
population-wide basis.  Dr. Hartmanns' two tapes from ILCA 1990 conference
describe this well.

Any additional comments, RDs or biochemists?

Linda Smith, pretty sharp for after-midnight lactnet sessions in Dayton Ohio