Diane,
I would be very interested in reading the studies that refute the Newton's
studies on the let-down reflex.  I hadn't realized that this was considered
mere speculation.  I guess dairy farmers need to be told that cows let down
when stressed and they can stop wasting their efforts to make milking time
stress-less for their cows.

The Newton's study specifically mentions the inhibition of let-down reflex in
frightened cows.  I believe that Odent mentions the inhibition of birth due
to fear, stress, etc.  I would think that if oxytocin is released during
stress that we wouldn't need birth attendants or measures to keep a mother
calm and relaxed during the birthing process.

I have never seen a mother writhing in pain who was spraying milk.   One
would think that if pain releases oxytocin then mothers who have sore nipples
would have tons and tons of milk.   I do believe there is a correlation
between sore nipples and lowered milk supply.  But maybe there are some women
who let-down with pain.

I know for myself and many of the mothers I have worked with who had sore
nipples that let-downs (MER) seemed to be inhibited.  I also remember trying
to nurse my baby while making a presentation to an audience.  I was quite
nervous and my let-down was obviously delayed because my baby got frantic at
my breast.  But I suppose that is rather subjective and maybe my baby was
just nervous because I was nervous.

I didn't realize that the connection between stress and MER was idle
speculation.  I would be interested in studies that show that stress and
delayed MER are not related.  Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC


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