>>I think maybe we are not quite hearing each other? I am saying, more stress horomes, less oxytocin. We know that in labour, stress if extememe enough will stop the production of oxytocin to the point where labour stops. A stressed animal's labour will stop altogether untill the danger has passed. KMC researcher, Nils Bergman, says we are now stresssing mothers and babies "beyond the limits of adaptability". The words are easy to say, but the implication are serious indeed. I think the point made by Bergman above, is that if we continue to carry on the way we are, it won't!<< Hi Pat, I do think that I am hearing you. I agree that we are leading lives that are more often bringing a high level of chronic stress. But at the same time, I wonder if it is really stress or the breastfeeding style that leads to milk production problems. I will be the first person in line to say that I am worried about environmental factors and their increasing impact upon lactation. I also know that trauma can inhibit milk ejection, which in turn inhibits milk production. Chronic extreme stress can do the same. How often does this happen, though? That is the question. Perhaps we come at this question from two different angles. I feel like I see too many women trying to fit themselves into that box, while you wonder if that number is on the rise. My recent review of these issues did give me renewed appreciation for the robustness of the process of lactation in an otherwise normal, healthy individual, especially as the triggers for oxytocin are both physical and psychological. But to answer your question, I don't know. I can certainly understand why we have so many stalled labors...... Not so sure about breastfeeding, though. I think both sides can be argued. Uvnas-Moberg is the one who has written eloquently on the topic of oxytocin and its role in modulating stress. She believes that oxytocin is meant to blunt that stress response. It is a different situation during lactation than during labor. Giving birth is an extremely vulnerable event, whereas lactation is less so and can occur "on the run" if need be. Mother really cannot afford to stop having milk ejections, otherwise her child could starve and will probably put her at higher risk by crying. I believe that oxytocin "wins" more battles than it loses when it comes to stress and lactation. ~Lisa Marasco Uvnas-Moberg Kerstin. Antistress Pattern Induced by Oxytocin. News Physiol Sci vol 13 Feb 1998, 22-26. Summary: Repeated oxytocin injections cause lowered blood pressure, decreased cortisol levels, increased withdrawal latency, increased release of vagally controlled gastrointestinal hormones, and increased weight gain. Together, these effects form an antistress pattern. Nonoxious sensory stimuli release oxytocin and induce an effect spectrum similar to the one caused by oxytocin injections. *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html