Hi,
><< She had early problems with milk supply but
> seemed quite relaxed about increasing her supply with eating better (she
> had been intending to diet immediately following the birth), drinking
> more fluids and resting while nursing round the clock. >>
>
>Sometimes I get really confused when I hear statements like this one.  Milk
>supply depends on the amount of nipple stimulation which is why we say "supply
>and demand" and if the milk needs to be increased then pump to receive extra
>stimulation.  Then when, if ever, is mother's diet a problem?  Maybe you wise
>ones can remove my confusion hat!

Certainly. The mother didn't put the baby to the breast until the end of
day 4, so her milk was understandably slow to come in. Due to her not
intending originally to breastfeed, she was not knowledgeable and no one
thought to ask about her diet - she had put herself on a strict, 800
calorie a day crash diet from birth, intending to lose the weight
quickly. Subsequently, the baby's weightgain plummeted (something like
20% of birthweight) and her milk supply wasn't great (I can't imagine
she felt too well on so little food either, btw). When a LLL leader
suggested that dieting might not be a great thing, she was very happy
just to come off her diet, eat better, drink more fluids and nurse a lot
more frequently.

Sure, the frequent nursing was probably the real key here, but going on
a crash diet while nursing cannot be healthy, can it? I was just very
impressed with her attitude, as a young woman who originally had not
intention of breastfeeding, doing whatever it took to make breastfeeding
work. And doing it so willingly, too.
--
Anna (Mummy to Emma, born 17th Jan 1995, Alice, born 11th Sept 1996,
??? due 18th April 1998)
Email: [log in to unmask]  Web Page: http://www.ratbag.demon.co.uk/anna