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Subject:
From:
Rebecca DeYoung Daniels <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 26 Nov 2003 19:58:54 -0600
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After a break from the list, I've enjoyed the luxury of returning to this
community while (new) Baby #5 and I have been "pacifying each other" during
the last few weeks.  Although I volunteer with LLL and do some LC work, the
most important hat I wear now is that of MOM.

The recent thalassemia and anemia discussion has prompted me to question the
mechanism whereby anemia can result in inadequate milk supply.  Every
breastfeeding book on my shelf makes mention of this connection, but I've
only been able to find a 1995 reference to an article by Henly in "Birth"
about 1st-time mothers/inadequate milk supply/anemia.  (Confession--I don't
have Dr. Lawrence's tome here.)  A PubMed search didn't help much and now my
brain won't stop until it understands the physiologic mechanism(s) that tie
anemia to low milk supply.  Each book I've searched only mentions
"anemia"...is it to be assumed iron-deficiency?  What about megaloblastic or
folic-acid deficiency anemias?

If anemia and low milk supply are connected, how do undernourished women
manage to breastfeed successfully?  I remember spending some time in
southern Mexico and observing malnourished women breastfeeding fat and happy
babies. I lived in a very poor part of the Navajo reservation and the babies
thrived (yes, at the expense of the mothers at times).  The concentration
camp mothers come to mind as well...any thoughts?

Can you all kindly explain the physiology of this (since you *really* don't
want to know how many years ago I had that course!)?  Is the reason more
because the new mother is extremely exhausted and simply too tired to put
her little one to breast frequently?  Why do I see some mothers with
hemoglobins hovering around 8 produce plenty?

With a Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating tomorrow & trying to type
coherently with 1 hand,

Rebecca DeYoung Daniels, MBA, RD, LD, IBCLC

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