In a message dated 5.7.02 7:24:36 PM,
denise Fisher writes:

>Meg asks about the rationale for switch feeding in cases of low
>supply.  Applying Peter Hartmann's findings to milk synthesis and milk
>ejection it can be a challenge to see how and why it works.
>When the milk supply is low there is less and less milk being moved down
>with each milk ejection if you are to stay on one breast.  To keep the
>baby
>interested and happy switching breasts will give him more milk sooner.
>Peter Hartmann also reports that while the infant is feeding at the breast,
>milk synthesis in that breast is virtually non-existent.  So long,
>lingering feeds on one breast mean long periods of time where no milk is
>being synthesised in that breast.  We know that it is the decreased volume
>of milk and hence the decreased presence of the FIL (that small whey
>protein) which is directly related to milk synthesis.  By switch feeding
>as
>the volume in the first breast (breast A) gets to fairly low and baby moves
>to the slightly fuller breast (breast B) milk synthesis kicks in at a much
>faster rate (in breast A) than it had been doing in breast B.  Then as
>that
>volume drops (in B) it's back to breast A again and milk synthesis in B
>will begin much faster than it had been previously.
>

Very Interesting Denise!
So I presume if you have twins and a low supply issue it would be better NOT
to tandem nurse in terms of maximizing milk synthesis?
Now, I have always practiced under the premise that dual fdng increases
prolactin, figuring that was the goal....... but this work suggests that
prolactin levels are relatively unimportant....hmmm...
Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html