Debra and others,

The amount of milk taken out is less important than the amount LEFT IN the
breast. Retained milk signals the cells to adjust the rate of making milk -
the message seems to be "she's not using what you're making, so slow down
already." Less retained milk in the alveoli says "pour on the gas, let's get
some milk made so she doesn't run out." According to Hartmann's new research
with breast imaging, the storage capacity of the breast has something to do
with this, as breasts that can store a lot of milk will perform differently
than breasts than are drained every time the baby nurses. Based on my
understanding of his research which corroborates what I've seen in my 25
years of experience, leaking isn't terribly relevant to supply either way.
And supply is easy to increase by more thorough emptying of the breast by
baby or another means.

Dont' sweat the milk supply. It's the easiest part to get right.  Getting the
milk transfer part (the baby at breast part) is the harder part of fixing BF
problems.

Linda Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Dayton OH where it's 3 degrees Farenheit and sunny. My dog loves this weather
- thinks he's part sasquatch.  Good weather indicator too - if he's white,
it's snowing.