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Subject:
From:
"JoAn Muncie MS,RD,LD" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 21 Jan 1999 12:05:47 EST
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In a message dated 1/21/99 10:08:44 AM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
 Subject: Re: menses and milk suppy
 MIME-Version: 1.0
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Pat,
You're information is very interesting re; calcium and magnesium intake.
Could you share your references?
Thank you,
JoAn Muncie, MS,RD

 Aa 6 month old Emailed me about
 >a drop in milk supply. Yes she is having her menses again. I told
 >her the supply will increase again after her period ends.
 >Will the next menstrual periods cause the same drop in
 >milk production or will it be less?

 For some women (I was one) there is a drop in milk supply beginning about a
 week before a menstrual period and continuing a few days into the period. I
 researched this when my babies were feeding and found that from mid-cycle
 until a couple of days into the period, there is a steady decrease in blood
 calcium levels.  Obviously the decrease varies among women, as some women
 never experience this drop in milk. This lower blood calcium level is also
 the cause of uterine cramping before and in the first days of the period.

 I began to take a calcium/magnesium supplement from mid-cycle until 3 days
 into my period. The milk supply was maintained. When my daughters began
 menstruating, I had them follow the same plan and they were able to have
 little or no uterine cramping.

 I recommend supplementation for mothers who call me with this supply
 problem. The amount of added ca/mag is variable, of course.  I suggest that
 she add 500mg-1000mg. The more meat that we eat the more Ca/Mag we need.
 Usually it takes the higher doses to accomplish the desired goal. The added
 ca/mag has resolved the problem in all of my clients who have tried it.

 It can even be effective if they call me with the decrease in supply and
 say that a period is due.  I suggest that they begin immediately with
 1000mg of ca/mag. and there is usually an increase in supply within 24 hours.

 One problem is to determine when "mid-cycle" is with a mother just resuming
 menses.  I suggest that she take the supplement throughout the month until
 she sees a pattern of cycling.

 One shouldn't take calcium without magnesium in a 2/1 ratio (the ratio that
 is found in foods and is usually found in supplements). And disuade
 someone's taking Tums for their calcium.  It is not an adequate dietary
 supplement and it is an antacid, while calcium needs an acidic gastric
 environment for assimilation.
  >>

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