It was Annie, I think, who describes a mother who took 8 weeks to get a full
milk supply:

"You know, I have always
been a late bloomer, I didn't even get my period until I was 16."???

I am currently working with a mother who did not get her period until 16. She
has no hx of infertility or signs of PCOS. However, she had very little
noticeable breast growth during pregnancy. Breasts are symmetrical and
rounded, but have remained very soft and despite valiant attempts of combined
breastfeeding and pumping, at 4 weeks she makes about 1/2 the  milk her baby
needs. I remember recently reading on LACTNET, from Lisa Marasco I believe,
that the critical time for breast development is between the ages of 12 and
17 (Correct me Lisa if I'm wrong).  Perhaps if puberty is delayed, some
degree of critical breast development is missed? I hypothesize that this can
be made up during pregnancy and subsequent lactations.  This may be one
reason why these mothers have to work so hard and get milk so late.  This
mother did not fit into any of the categories of hypoplastic breasts as
described by Kathleen Huggins.  Thoughts?

Kathy Boggs, RN, IBCLC
Mountain View, CA

             ***********************************************
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