The “early & often” theory. Well, here it goes. My whole view on it, hopefully, it won’t bore any of you. In the early hours, days weeks (up to 3 mos. according to Lawrence & Lawrence) the more lactocyte cells with those open receptors that are laid down via nursing, pumping, hand expressing (stimulation in general); will yield increased levels of the hormone prolactin and that hormone will be sent to those receptors on those lactocyte cells. IF there isn’t frequent stimulation (at night as well) to “fill up” those cell sites, of course they are going to get “filled with” progesterone (or something else!). As it was once explained to me, the whole lactocyte cell with its receptors and progesterone & prolactin & HPL…it’s all a “lock & key” system…makes sense..some of those are antagonistic & some not, some are synergists :) Another interesting thought (I find it interesting, you all probably already know this or may not agree, to each his own of course) is, these mothers that have supply problems, are there any significant levels of HPL still in their system? Do we know exactly when those levels completely diminish? The reason I ask this is, it was once brought to my attention from a personal friend of mine (RN) that there are SOME (not all!) doctors who will give the umbilical cord a nice “tug” to SPEED UP the whole process of delivering the placenta….in some women, might this possibly leave small fragments (maybe large enough for *that* mom) of the placenta in the uterus to make the HPL levels high enough to compete with prolactin for those receptor sites? Does make sense, but who truly knows, EVERY SINGLE WOMAN can respond differently to anything… As for the mentioning of all of the induced lactation and relactating etc. wouldn’t the same theory of “opening up those cell cites” in the beginning also ring somewhat true? These are just *my* rambling thoughts on all of this…. I believe I asked this before, I hope someone can answer. How often (or is it necessary) are these moms (with inexplicable low supply issues) referred to an endocrinologist for a blood test or whatever? Or are those levels of HPL and progesterone and all of those other *nasty, interfering, antagonistic* (with reference to lactation of course) hormones, etc. done by a blood test at their doctor’s office? Respectfully, (because gracious knows, you have ALL seen this WAY more than I), Joy Kahler LLL of Wyoming, USA Ps..the basis of my knowledge on all of this *stuff* comes from MANY sources. I’ve sat through MANY sessions with Karin Cadwell & Linda Smith, read Jan Riordan’s work, some Lawrence & Lawrence & of course LLL and various other info as well ;) But again, some of this is my *own* interpretation of it too! *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome