Martha,
I have worked with one mother whose supply dropped dramatically within 3 days
of starting a mini-pill with progesterone only.  Stoppiing the pill recovered
supply over the next several days.  She was in her second month post-partum
at the time.  She didn't start the pill again to confirm this as the cause
however.

In addition I have talked with many mothers who claim their babies became
fussy after starting this type of pill and resolved when they stopped.  None
of them re-challenged.  In one case green stools were also present and
resolved with stopping the pill.  That particular mother was sensitive to
many medications herself which probably was related.

I wonder if this type of clinical experience is enough to report to FDA.
I've been assuming I need to get a mother to re-challenge her experience to
validate the conclusions.

For reference, Lawrence lists references that note problem with Depo shot at
6 months, though not at 3 months.  She also notes lower fat and calcium may
be a result of use of Norethindrone.  Norethynodrel is noted by Lawrence and
Hale to affect quantity and quality of milk to some degee--- more so with
higher doses.  They may be using the same primary references which I have not
evaluated myself but would be something worth looking into I think!

In my experience, the mothers having trouble are on the average to lower
weight for height.  I suspect that the standard dose is too much for them.
Another theory is that some mother's hormone levels are such that the pill
affects them more than the next mother.

Natalie Shenk, BS, IBCLC
Findlay Ohio USA
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