>And hence my question - how do we apply the knowledge of breast storage
>capacity when each baby seems to have a pattern of feeding that is unique
>unto itself? Could the storage capacity of the mother change to fit the
>needs of the baby rather than the storage capacity dictate how the mother
>needs to feed the baby? If I had visited Perth with each baby, would the 24
>hour computerised breast measurements have shown different readings ?

Rose, if you had come to Perth with each baby (in theory of course,
as we are talking about approx 20 years ago, aren't we?), I think you
would have been found to have a fairly large storage capacity. The
differences with each baby were *baby*-related, not
storage-capacity-related. I would guess that you may see more
variability in milk synthesis rates with the different babies. I
suspect that baby number 2 rarely drained the breasts completely with
her short frequent feeds. She was not feeding frequently because that
was what she *had* to do to get enough overall - she was doing it
because she wanted to suck for comfort (typical 'high-need' baby
and/or one with lactose overload). In addition it sounds like she was
taking *more* than she actually needed - hence the lactose overload
symptoms (unsettled baby, green explosive stools), so your supply
would have been greater than with number 1. Had she been more
settled, she could have spaced the feeds out more and still got
enough, as the first baby did.

As for the degree of fatness of each baby, this is possibly partly
genetic, but also, and more significantly here, a baby with an
irritated gut from lactose overload (possibly secondary to something
else causing irritation as well) has a fast gut transit time -
hurrying the digestive process and possibly not absorbing as much.
Lots of the potential nutrients were ending up in her nappy!

Hope this helps explain it for you.

Joy
**********************************************************************
Joy Anderson, Leeming Group WA. Joined 1984, qualified Jan 1987.
Married to Keith. Son, Craig, born 1984 and daughter, Keryn, born 1987.
Group treasurer, group project (name and address stickers),
South Metro Regional Information Service counsellor, local assessor,
Approval of Breastfeeding Content, Internet and Breastfeeding
Information and Policy Working Groups, BCnet moderator, NMAA Board
member (unit liaison)    mailto:[log in to unmask]
**********************************************************************

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