. My =
> initial thoughts were all about optimizing normal conditions - make sure =
> they are disease free, have good pasture, and are not stressed (heat, =
> insects, chased by dogs - the usual nursing mother concerns!)"
>

Now I know why we see so many women with low milk supply - it's either a 
lack of good pasture, or they're being chased by dogs...

But I think we need to look at this in the context of what is biologically 
normal. Dairy cows have been specifically bred over many generations to have 
large milk capacity in their udders, so they can tolerate being milked twice 
a day. So more frequent milking may have less effect.

Humans have not, in general, been selectively bred in this way. And we know 
from research that women vary quite a bit in how much milk they can store. 
That means that more frequent milking (more frequent emptying of the 
breasts) is more likely to have a significant effect.

I've also seen some reports on TV of farms where they allow the cows to 
"self-milk." It's set up so that when the cow wants to be milked, she goes 
into a special stall, the machine attaches itself and the milk is drained. I 
seem to remember that they found the cows would go to be milked more often 
than 2 times a day, and they did produce more milk, and the machines paid 
for themselves in terms of healthier cows (fewer infections) and more milk 
production.

Teresa Pitman 

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