A mother I have worked with this fall has weaned to ABM due to very low milk
production.  She chose not to continue nursing with the tube feeding device
longer than a couple of weeks.  She has faithfully done everything I've
suggested and baby did his part fine other than starting out his first 2
weeks rather starved for milk. She has double electric pumped 8 to 12
times/24hrs for 15 to 20 min, supplemented with tube device at breast, rested
and recovered, been checked for retained placenta, thyroid tests = normal,
normal PP check up, drank "Mother's Milk tea".  No prolactin tests done.
 Never obtained more than 5 to 20cc milk per pumping.  Almost no breast
tenderness or development during pregnancy. (Red Flag) Normal appearance of
breasts--not asymmetric, but very soft with no fullness as there should be..

Her question is:  Can tests be done to tell her if she does or does not have
insufficient glandular tissue?  She would like to know before she plans
another pregnancy, and would like to know whether to look foreward to
breastfeeding.  As you all are aware it can be very upsetting to have this
wonderful experience taken from you.
I have spoken with 2 radiologists about imaging to study the FUNCTION of this
very important gland. The tests do not deliniate between fibrous and
glandular tissue.   It seems all of our tests deal with PATHOLOGY only.  Can
someone give me more information or references about "TRANSILLUMINATION" as
mentioned in Dr. Lawrence's book?  . . . or other methods to determine the
functional ability of the breasts.
Many, many thanks,
Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC
Lynchburg, VA