>One suggestion in the
>Breastfeeding Answer Book was to increase the frequency of nursing so
>that the amount of milk stored was less, making feedings more manageable
>for the baby. But increasing frequency of feedings is also recommended
>to increase milk supply. Coach Smith said today: "The emptier the
>breast, the faster milk is made. The fuller it is, the slower the rate
>of synthesis.

Hi Donna,
Yes, I think this is consistent. I would suggest that she perhaps feed
frequently, but from the same breast for several in a row. In this way, the
unused breast would get very full, suppressing its milk synthesis rate over
a period of hours. The other breast that is being used would not be emptied
significantly most of the time, as I would suspect the baby would only be
able to take a certain volume and the rest would remain in the breast.
Therefore, it would increase its synthesis rate, but not dramatically.
Frequent feeding in a low supply situation would significantly empty the
breast each time (hopefully) and have a much greater impact on the milk
synthesis rate. Does this make sense?

Another possible issue here - is baby attaching really well? According to
Chloe Fisher (if I remember rightly) a well-attached baby has better
control of fast flow than one not so well attached.

Also one other possibility - is this baby feeding extra frequently due to
some other discomfort and hence inducing an oversupply in the mother??

Just a couple of other thoughts.

******************************************************************
Joy Anderson B.Sc. Dip.Ed. Grad.Dip.Med.Tech. IBCLC
Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia.   mailto:[log in to unmask]
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