Someone asked why "older" moms (with a postulated low estrogen milieu --
which ought to be desireable for lactation) should be suspected of
inadequate lactation capacity.  I suspect it isn't the low estrogen
POSTPARTUM, but the suspicion that there is perhaps not enough of the normal
levels of horemones to stimulate sufficient glandular growth of the breast
during the PREGNANCY.  Some women (for instance those with border-line
thyroid conditions, or polycystic ovarian syndrome) have difficulting
achieving pregnancy.  If they get preg. many carry to term just fine.  But
while their horemone levels may not be frankly abnormal enough to terminate
the pregnancy, the subtle imbalances may interfere with full lactation
capacity.  So the aging thing may really be horemonal fluctuations of this
variety.  And also, the "aging" of breasts may mimic the aging  in other
organs, where the process just becomes more sluggish.  Those of us with
large clinical practices specializing in problem lactation see a fair share
of these more sensitive moms who truly do struggle with supply in spite of
good management.  They are not always "old",  and I would not characterize
33 as old by any current criteria.  And obviously there are many 40+ year
old women nursing like champs.  I had a family practice doc client who
nursed triplets for beyond two yrs.  She was 41.


Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas
http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html

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