A mother I'm in contact with told me that after the birth of her
baby, her milk never came in.  After asking her a number of questions, I
found out that her breasts were "like rocks" during pregnancy (and with
large spots on them), but very soft after birth.  The change was almost
immediate with the birth of her child.  She never felt a let down.  She
tried to hand express milk, but never got any milk.  She *did* see milk in
the baby's mouth in the early days (colostrum), but never later on.  The
baby was never weighed before-and-after-breastfeeding.  She listened for
the sound of swallowing, and never heard any.  The baby received a bottle
after every breast"feeding", and downed the whole amount.  The mother had
a general physical after the birth, but no specific tests for thyroid (my
first suggestion).  The baby continued to suck at the breast for about a
month because she enjoyed it, but the mother is certain that she did not
receive any milk.  Pregnancy was normal--she's a vegetarian, gained about
30 lbs, worked until the day before the birth.  Baby was born 19 days
early, with slight jaundice that did not require bililights and no other
health problems.  Before she knew she was pregnant, she took some "gravol"
(I'm not quite sure just what that is) for nausea.  It is a first
pregnancy.  She described the labor as, "During labour, I am bit hazy on
this, but I did receive some kind of pain-reliever and labour was induced,
but I had a normal delivery."  She does not smoke, drink, or take drugs.
(She is outside the US.)

     The mother is hoping to get pregnant again sometime soon, and is
worried this will recur.  I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
Please e-mail me privately, as I am NOMAIL.  TIA.

                                                     Brandel D. Falk
                                                     [log in to unmask]
                                                     LLL Leader