Dear Anne (Kaeser) -
I've been thinking about the two mothers you described in your post of
Jan.19

Re. the mother of three with problems starting around eight weeks : yes, I
certainly think that the return of her menses is highly significant here.
Eight weeks is really very early (when fully breastfeeding) - strongly
suggestive, as you say, of supply difficulties arising from use of dummy
(pacifier) and infrequent feeds.  In other words, menses were a symptom of
the overall problem - not a cause (although I have read that during a mense
the taste of breastmilk may slightly change and supply may dip slightly -
but only temporarily, providing all else is well...)

Re. the other mother with baby pulling away and crying after starting to
feed : how sad that we so soon start characterising babies in this way
("lazy and impatient") - she'll probably be stuck with that label for life!
 My immediate thought is an overwhelming let-down (milk ejection reflex) -
or learned anticipation of such.  (The alternative, a slow let-down, seems
unlikely at twelve weeks).  Are you sure there's no supply problem?

all the best!
Hannah
(midwife and National Childbirth Trust breastfeeding counsellor, UK)
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