Hi, Jan:  I've been following with interest the amount of time/day it is
recommended that mothers pump to maintain/increase their milk supply.  Your
questions/comments on stimulating the breast brought to mind some articles
I read a few months ago on human male lactation.  One of the primary
authors is a cultural anthropologist (male) who suggests that the main
trigger for milk production is direct stimulation of the nipple (male or
female) rather than what was traditionally believed, that one had to have
the hormonal trigger of pregnancy to begin lactation.  Of course, those of
you who have nursed adopted babies have long known that needing to have a
pregnancy in order to produce milk is so not true.  Jared Diamond is the
name of the anthroplogist and I found his information by going through
google.  He even documents cases of men successfully nursing their babies
and I heard through the grapevine that someone (don't know who or where) is
trying to get a research study going on human male lactation.  I suspect
there may be an issue with getting volunteers!
Interesting.

Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL  USA

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