I'm working with a mom who had fertility problems,is 31, and seemed to have an
adequate breastmilk supply in the first 4 months.  In the last month the baby
lost 2.5 ounces.  Here is the weight progression:  9/20/98    7lb 8oz
                                                                                 9/23/98    6lb 10oz
                                                                         9/28/98    7lb 6oz
                                                                                10/5/98     8lb 8oz
                                                                                11/13/98   9lb 12oz
                                                                                 1/19/99   11lb 5oz
                                                                                 2/25/99   11lb 2oz
                                                                                 3/5/99     13lb 3oz

She was only breastfeeding the baby 5 times each day and the baby was sleeping
8 hours at night.  Starting on 2/25 she breastfed 9x/day immediately followed
by supplements of formula (19oz./24hrs total).  Since 3/1 (this is where I
came into the picture) she has been pumping 6+ x/day, BF 5x/day (and inbetween
feeds) and supplementing 5x/day with as much as 28oz.  The only time the baby
seems to have any swallowing is the first feeding in the morning.  The baby is
increasing her supplement intake and her pumped milk remains at about
8oz./24hrs.  She does not want to use a supplementer.

Her period returned 12/10/98 and she feels this may have something to do with
her drop in milk production.  She is on no meds and has no thyroid problems.
She is clinically obese with large breasts and large areolas.

I'd like to hear all your suggestions.  I know that Dr. Newman refers to a
sudden,unexplained supply loss at 3-4 months in the info on Domperidone.  This
mom really wants to make this work and has been working really hard this week.

I read an artilcle once about milk supply linked to cyclical hormones.  Does
anyone know what I'm talking about?  I remember the authors saying that low
dose birth control pills solved the problem.

Thanks so much,

Sue Wirth, IBCLC