Ruth,

Thank you for your response!  I decided to continue this on Lactnet,
because I thought it would be interesting to others as well.

I have to say, I am green with envy over an adoptive mother who could
produce so much milk!  There is not a one of us who would not be.

I have never had any contact with a never-pregnant woman who was able to
pump more than a few drops and I have never known anyone at all who
could pump more than an ounce at a time.  I have heard a few stories,
but I am careful about any that I do not know the source of.

I wonder if this woman has hyperprolactinemia?  It would be great to
know what is actually going on.  I know alot of the variables, but no
others that would explain such a huge difference as that. Do you know if
she used any drugs or herbs?  I would also like to know what pump she
used, etc.. However, I doubt the explanation lies in those things
because I know quite a few women, myself included, who have used the
best pump, taken reglan, fenugreek, blessed thistle, brewer's yeast,
etc..  It has made some difference for most, but no where near that
much!

I would still be careful about telling women about these rare,
super-productive adoptive mothers.  Since everyone, especially women who
have never been able to give birth, would so dearly love to be able to
produce alot of milk, most would tend to get their hopes real high and
then be disappointed again.  Infertility can be so hard on a woman's
self esteem and faith in her own abilities that another failure at
something connected with motherhood could be not only painful, but could
affect her faith in her ability to be a good mother in other ways too.

I know of an LC who stresses the nursing relationship and tells women
that it is unlikely that they will produce any milk at all!  While I
don't agree with that, because I know that it isn't true, the mothers
she has worked with who've stuck with it have been extremely pleased
with whatever milk they actually DID produce!

Thanks again!
Darillyn