The reason that milk volume doesn't increase after about 3 months, is that
babies don't grow as fast in their second three months of life as they do in
their first, not to mention what happens in the second 6 months of life, or
the second year.  Look at a growth chart, preferably one that shows
intrauterine growth as well.  The steepness of the slopes of the curves
shows graphically how growth slows down.  The same amount of milk that
supports rapid growth in a newborn, supports normal growth in an older baby,
precisely because we don't need as much food the older we get.  So, a baby
who weighs 15 pounds at two months will be taking in more food than a baby
who reaches 15 pounds at 6 months, and you have to consider BOTH size and
age when figuring needs.  A small baby who is very active, may be taking in
more than a larger baby who is very placid too.  And babies who are not
getting breastmilk need a higher volume, because it costs them more to
digest and burn the food, and not as much of the food is biologically
available to them.

Luckily, growth is a very good indicator of the adequacy of intake, or we
would be going nuts doing 24 hour test weights on everyone.  It is only when
growth deviates from expectations that we need to look more closely.

Declining need is a trend that continues throughout life, even after
longitudinal growth has ceased.  With the exception of puberty, our growth
rate gets slower and slower until we stop getting taller. Our metabolic rate
slows, and we need less fuel to keep the machinery running.  All the more
important, then, that what we do eat, contains vital nutrients and not just
entertainment value.  After we graduate from breastmilk there is no other
food that so perfectly meets both needs.  (And why isn't someone DOING
something about this?)

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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