In a message dated 98-04-18 08:14:01 EDT, you write:

<< Doing couplet care , I had a mother who is breastfeeding her 2 day old
 infant. she stated that she would probably start giving ABM by 4th day
 because of "panic" attacks that start when "my milk comes in". With
 previous infant, on the 4th day, she experienced a let-down and it made
 her"feet have to get up and go". Both her mother and grandmother also
 experience  this type of attack and are on anti-depressives, although
 she does not know if they had this experience while breastfeeding.
 Some of us feel that this may be related to early childhood abuse? or
 perhaps it is hormonal in nature? Her HCP is at a loss to assist her
 with this problem. Any help would be appreciated.
 Maureen RNC CLE/southern cal. >>

Maureen -- I am one of the LEAST medically trained people on this list.
Still, from all I know of depression I can't see jumping to unsupported
suspicion of childhood abuse before investigating hormonal reasons.  Last fall
there was a lot of talk on Lactnet about prolactin and depression -- see the
Archives --  (I personally am one of those who wept on let-down with my
newborns) and it seems likely that this would be related.  If so, one thing to
suggest is psych support for a while -- as I recall most of the folks who
reported this said it diminished in the early weeks.  Can any of our resident
docs suggest bf-ok drugs for temporary intervention for this mother?

Elisheva Urbas
NYC