I won't comment on the rest of this post but I think that the below is a
misinterpretation of the research (at least if it is the same research I am
thinking of ;-)
Kent et al. 1999 Breast Volume and milk production during extended lactation
in women. Experimental Physiology 84: 435-447.
This research shows that babies intake is pretty well constant between 1
month and 6 months of age and then decreases. This is *not* a measure of
production capacity, it is a measure of how much milk babies comsume. I
don't believe that lactation is set in stone at any time (how could I since
relactation is my thing?) but I think that lots and lots of people have this
issue of babies consumption not increasing (therefore throwing out the idea
of fussy babies working to increase milk supply/growth spurts/appetite
increases etc) confused with the ability of the breasts to increase supply
if demand is increased. As far as I am aware baby's consumption does not
increase 1-6m because the babies do not "demand" it which is different from
the breasts not being flexible in supply in response to demand but I'm
willing to hear another interpretation!!!

Karleen Gribble
Australia



> I emailed a respected Lactnetter to get her opinion and she reminded me
and
> sent me research citations to show that milk production is generally set
in
> the first couple of weeks and remains the same through the first 5-6
months.
> This was Peter Hartman research I believe.  Anyway, her reasoning, and it
> makes sense to me, is that we should be encouraging the moms of near
> term'ers to pump and get that milk production going full speed.  Because
the
> average 5 pounder is not going to bring in a production that a 7-8 pounder
> would.  A 5 pounder just doesn't take that much in the beginning.  If we
> leave it up the the wee little one to set the production, then when that
wee
> one is a 8-9 pounder, there is many times a struggle to have enough milk.
>

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