Cathy says,
<< Regarding lost alveoli due to mastitis or engorgement - this will only
affect the current lactation. Even though this destruction occurs there is
no reason why remaining glandular tissue cannot cope with milk production
requirements (autocrine response). Any temporary loss of supply during/after
mastitis/engorgement is thought to be associated with the temporary loss of
lactose through the paracellular pathway. After involution glandular tissue
atrophies and then during subsequent pregnancies alveolar growth starts
anew. >>
OK -- I realize this is an "n" of one, but I need to share my own personal
puzzling story here -- and maybe you wise lactnetters have a solution:
Breastfed babies 1 & 2 -- they were four years apart. Didn't breastfeed
nearly as long as I would have had I known then what I know now, but that's
another story. Suffice it to say that my milk production has never been
stellar...I can feed my own babies, just.... never could have supplied the
nursery as some moms can do. Had a mastitis in the left breast w/ baby
number two when she was about 3 weeks old -- treated w/ Keflex, heat, blah
blah. Went away -- wasn't a terrible one. Milk supply did drop, and didn't
come back up again to where it had been before the mastitis, despite nursing
on that side more (hey -- left side, I'm right handed -- my favorite side to
breastfeed on). Fast forward 6 years, and Timothy comes along (the reason
I'm an IBCLC). First of all, he couldn't latch for 5 days (unmedicated home
birth). I pumped frequently, often, a lot -- you name it, using a classic
hospital grade pump -- single pumping, there were no doubles back then (Tim
is 16). Tim finally started latching about day 5, but was never a terrific
nurser, and needed supplementation....however, the real kicker is that I
never produced ANY milk in the left breast. Nada. I would start him on that
side, end on that side, pump that side.....Nada. Went back to work -- pumped
-- would get 3 ounces (a good pumping) on the right side. Two or three drops
on the left. That was IT. I continued to try to nurse & pump on that side
for 7 months, when I finally bagged it and bf only on the right side.
I can possibly relate the poor milk supply overall to the fact that Tim
didn't breastfeed WELL (high palate, receding chin -- and me w/ short stubby
nipples) and my advanced age -- possibly. I was 38. But why didn't the left
breast produce? All I can relate it to was the mastitis during the previous
lactation period. I had a mammogram (and have had several since) -- nothing
ever showed up.
Anyone have a guess?
Jan B in sunny Wheaton.
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