Dear Jan, I have wondered about this too and think maybe it is the fact that it is the first milk removal ever and there is colostrum built up from pregnancy. I have found this in a mother who is not expressing often. We will get an ounce or so with that first pumping or nursing but then if she removes the milk regularly, she won't get as much per time as she did at the first milk removal when her breasts were storing the milk. Of course, with better milk removal, her supple gradually increases. I wonder if this is what is happening during those first hours after birth. All during her last trimester, colostrum is being made and stored in the breast. So you get that "stored" amount of colostrum in the first milk removals. Because oxytocin is so high after a natural birth, the body will be pushing it out through aveoli contractions as well as the pressure from the hand so you will get even more. Have no idea if this is true. What does anyone think of this idea? -- Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC, RLC The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor bfcaa.com *********************************************** 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