I have been fascinated by all of Cathy Fetherston's recent posts about
breast function.  I knew that apoptosis occurs during weaning, but I had
never carried that thought through to the extent that your last post does,
Cathy.  Am I understanding correctly that the DUCTAL structure disappears
between lactations and re-generates during a new preg?  Would that possibly
be why we sometimes see what we have called 're-canalization' in some women
who have exper. breast surgery?  Perhaps re-canalization is constantly
occuring and would explain why lactation is more successful during some
lactations in the same woman.  If, for instance, her early days of one
lactation were marked by understimulation, poor milk removal, rapid
down-regulation, etc. and the next time, with better management and more
approp. early breast use she makes a ton of milk.  Or perhaps the
pregnancies differ with regard to hormones.  And I certainly take your point
that the BABY is primarily in control.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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