I am providing prenatal care for a woman who is nearing her due date who has lost her ovaries during this pregnancy. I wonder about how lactation will go. This mom is 34, this is her second child and she nursed her son successfully for more than a year. She has had breast changes this pregnancy. Ruth Lawrence and Ed Newton both say not to worry, and to supplement her estrogen soon after birth. I have great confidence in them, and what they say makes perfect sense theoretically (hypothalamic/pituitary axis and all) but I really would like to find someone who has actually walked this road. I am feeling the lonliness of ignorance. Also, could someone have pity on a new breastfeeding activist and explain to me why one word is better than two (breastfeed v breast feed)? I hate to feel like I don't know the secret handshake or something, but I have't been able to imagine the answer. A story--Yesterday a woman living in the local domestic violence shelter came in with her 3day old infant and sore nipples. The baby was happily sucking on a pacifier, conveniently labeled Similac. There was a happy ending, and I remembered the best revenge was success, so I decided to share my anger here with you and show her only mercy and support. Elizabeth A. Peyton, MD, physician midwife, [log in to unmask]