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From:
Denise Fisher <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 17 Feb 2002 22:44:30 +1000
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>Is it *ever* possible to 'drain' a breast 'completely', when bf is going well?

Heather I think my actual words were 'as completely as possible'.  I
understand what you are saying and agree with you, but was trying to make
the point that the emptier or less full the breast is the better as far as
imminent milk synthesis is concerned.

>Is there a good reference for milk not being synthesised when the
>baby is actually on the breast?

One of my West Aussie colleagues may be able to give you a written
reference, I only have the personal conversation with Dr Hartmann
emblazoned on my brain.  From my memory he wasn't saying that NO milk
synthesis occurs while the baby is suckling, but that milk synthesis was
definitely slowed and very little milk was made DURING a breastfeed.  (not
shouting, just highlighting the main points)

>(Hartmann's again, I think) which shows that the more frequently the
>milk is removed, the more quickly it is replaced.

I'm just being a little pedantic here... breastmilk synthesis occurs
fastest when the breast is at its least full.  So for a woman who has a
large breastmilk capacity and whose baby has lots of quick snacks (ie
feeding frequently) taking only a little each time, her milk synthesis will
be slow (because the breast is still fairly full after each snack) - not a
problem though because she's got heaps.  Another woman who has a much
smaller breastmilk capacity and whose baby breastfeeds every four hours by
the clock (my mother assures me I was just such a baby!) but has a nice big
feed and theoretically "empties" the breast, will synthesise milk very
rapidly initially.
Rate of milk synthesis depends on degree of breast fullness which is
directly related to breastmilk capacity and milk removal at each occasion.

>I also want to resist the idea that 'breast as a pacifier' is somehow
>'wrong' - what was 'invented' first, the breast or the pacifier?

Pacifiers provide non-nutritive sucking.  Sucking at the breast cannot be
non-nutritive in a lactating woman.  I see no relationship whatsoever...
It's just another put-down phrase used to make mothers feel inferior.

Denise

*************************************************
Denise Fisher BN, RN, RM, IBCLC
BreastEd Online Lactation Studies
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.BreastEdOnline.com

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

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