Dear Robyn and Anne,

The mystery of the disappearing milk when the baby is 3 months old is an
interesting one.  I know Judy K had a question about this too, but I can't
recall exactly what it was.

It has been my experience that at about the 3 month stage, mom's breasts seem
to get a bit smaller and softer.  At the same time, we often are looking at a
baby who is have his/her 3 month growth spurt.   So mom now has softer, smaller
breasts and baby wants to eat all day and night for a couple of days.  Mom
instantly comes to the conclusion that she has lost her milk.  In fact, this is
not the case.  If she simply follows her baby's lead and bfeeds as often as the
baby requests, her supply will build up to meet the baby's needs.  Her breasts
will not necessaril get larger or more firm, BUT they will produce the milk
that the baby requires and abm or solid food does not need to be added.

I often build this info in when I am seeing a mom with a bfeeding problem for a
consult.  Many of them who are on baby #2 or 3 have told me that is exactly
what happened that last time and now felt the they understood the situation
much better.  I still do get those 3 month panic calls and do my best to
reasure over the phone.

I hope that the preceeding info is helpful.

Regards,

Yaffa


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        Yaffa Stark, MA, IBCLC    Los Angeles, Calif., USA
        "We must identify and reduce barriers which keep women
       from beginning or continuing to breastfeed their infants."
       C. Everett Koop, M.D., ScD. Former Surgeon General
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