In the discussions on reduced supply at 4-6mo., the original post
mentioned that mom's menses also returned.  I too think that a decrease
in supply at this time might only be precieved.  My thoughts are that
there is something different about the milk a few days before the flow
begins.  I think it may have something to due with the taste of the milk
being different. I struggled to encourage all four of my children during
this time to take the breast. At first it was puzzling then it was
predictable.  There was a refussal that I could only attribute to the
milk possiblely tasting different. In older babies, it may not be as
noticeable since older babies are on solids, but with a 4-6 mo. olds, it
will be more noticeable. My second child didn't start solids until 11
mo. and it was very noticeable with her.
I was one of those moms whose menses returned early. At the time, (14
years ago) I didn't know that this was unusual until I heard other
breastfeeding moms talk about it.  Then I tried to figure out what was
different about me.  Totally breastfed kids, no schedules, no pacifiers,
no finger sucking, family bed, etc.  Even after I read Kippley's book
about natural child spacing.  It didn't matter what I did or didn't do.
I could only concluded that I had a good MER was on the higher supply
end and my children never had to suck very hard for their milk.

Anyone else think it might be something in the taste of the milk,
causing a disinterest in babies wanting to feed, causing moms to think
that maybe their supply is low, or their supply is getting low because
nursing decreases due to the new taste that babies are rejecting?

Assunta Osterholt, IBCLC