>Jenny South <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>I have recently run into a bunch of moms who claim they couldn't make
>enough milk for their first babies. I get so frustrated because the fact
>is, they just don't know that newborns want to nurse practically nonstop,
>and that that's *ok*---actually beneficial for both mom and baby.
>I usually tell them that it's rare that a mother not be able to produce
>enough milk. I was wondering if anyone had actual statistics I could give
>them???

Marianne Neifert has some details in her review article "Prevention of
Breastfeeding Tragedies" (Pediatric Clinics of North America 48[2]: 273-97,
April 2001). According to one study, 15% of first-time moms had
insufficient milk supply at 2-3 weeks. For two-thirds of these women, the
trouble stems from preventable or correctable issues such as improper
scheduling and poor latch; it's a group that could really benefit from
timely referral to LCs. One-third of the moms (i.e., 5% of the new mothers)
had insurmountable problems.

To quote Dr. Neifert: "Although most mothers are capable of breastfeeding
successfully, as many as 5% of women may have primary insufficient
lactation because of anatomic breast variations or medical illness that
make them unable to produce a full milk supply despite heroic efforts."
Some of the issues she identifies arise from retained placenta inhibiting
lactogenesis, previous breast reduction and surgery, radiation therapy,
insufficient breast development (i.e., ducts and glands, not size!), and
serious maternal illness. She also notes that there have been some cases of
unexplained insufficient lactation among older moms, some of whom had
previously breastfed with no problems.

HTH!

regards,
Julia

Julia R. Barrett
Freelance Science Writer
Madison, Wisconsin
608-238-8409; [log in to unmask]

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