>>I too was really puzzled at Peter Hartmann's assertion that babies don't
need
more milk as they grow older -- what about growth spurts?  What about
increased kcal needs?  However, ages ago, I read Susan Carlson's ISM from
ILCA -- was reviewing it for the then ISM Coordinator, Lois Arnold -- and she
mentions that although the milk of a mom of a newborn contains about 20
kcal/oz, by the time the baby is 4 months old, it is up to 26 kcal/oz.<<

According to Lawrence (4th edition p. 653), colostrum (days 1-5) has an
energy value of 58 kcal/100ml, while mature milk (>30 days) has an energy
value of 70 kcal/100ml.  Perhaps this is the difference mentioned by Susan
Carlson, but it is much more specific than what you read.

>>I can't believe an 8# baby takes 500 ml/24 hours and a 14 pound baby takes
500 ml/24 hours (or whatever) and both thrive UNLESS there is a difference in
caloric composition.<<

Neither can I--- but maybe the answer lies in between. Lawrence (p96) has a
table of average milk volume *output* for exclusively bfg mothers according
to months postpartum.  The table is scattered and shows some ups and downs,
but the mothers who were measured at the longest point, 6 mos, show that
month to be the highest yield overall.

I don't want to dismiss the ideas of changing caloric needs, however, because
I believe that this is also a very important factor.  We look for babies to
gain 4-7 oz per week in the first 6 mos, but thereafter to 12 mos we look for
a rate of gain approximately half that amount.  If gain slows down, it is
reasonable to assume that caloric need may also slow down at the same time.
Concurrently, we usually see solids started around 6 mos if not before, and
so it is conceivable that a baby could maintain milk intake at the 6 mos mark
while increasing intake of solids. Of course, there are also many possible
variations on this pattern. Now, if we can match up Peter's tables and
studies with these facts and see if there is a correlation or fit
somewhere.......

-Lisa Marasco, LLLL, IBCLC
[log in to unmask]@slonet.org