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Subject:
From:
Joy Anderson <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 7 Jan 1996 13:23:14 +0800
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Kathy,
With regard to feed frequency and reasons why babies ask to feed that you
mentioned, I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, when talking to mothers, I
often mention these facts from other cultures so they don't think their
frequently-feeding baby is "abnormal". (Also, with the issue of babies
wanting to be carried all the time, I talk about other cultures, an explain
how "artificial" many of our parenting practices are.) To clarify what I
was trying to say as succinctly as possible in my post (I have a tendency
to be rather verbose usually ;-)), I was specifically referring to a baby
suffering from oversupply colic. Even then, I did not mean that this baby
could not feed within that 2 hour period, rather that he should not get too
frantic if only allowed on the less-preferred side for a few feeds in a row
in that period. I was trying to emphasise that this is not a long time by
pointing out that many babies *in Western cultures* often happily go
periods of 2 hours without feeding. The other point I should have mentioned
was that I *always* tell the mother that these strategies are only
guidelines, not rules, and if she understands the basic principles of
trying to slow down the amount of milk going through baby, and of how milk
production in her breasts works, it is up to her to do what she thinks will
work best in her situation. Also, she should only use them for a few days,
after which they have either worked and she has a happier baby, or not
worked and then to look at other types of strategies.

With regard to sex and breasts - there is a physiological link, as oxytocin
is both the hormone which causes milk let-down and causes orgasm. It is
quite physiological to experience sexual feelings when breastfeeding due to
this hormone's effect. As I am sure you know, oxytocin also causes labour.
This hormone's effect is sometimes the basis of objections to breastfeeding
or sexual intercourse through pregnancy - the oxytocin *theoretically*
causing premature labour. I have heard oxytocin called "the hormone of
love".

Joy Anderson IBCLC
Perth, Western Australia
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