>>I'm extremely interested in your comments regarding women who experience a sudden drop in milk production at about 3-4 mos. pp. Lactnetters, what is WITH this? I have spoken to at least three women recently, one of whom is my neighbor and who is expecting her fourth child in March, who report that their milk "suddenly went away" when their babies were anywhere from 4 - 8 months of age<< My conclusions on this topic thus far start first with the theory of hormonal and autocrine control of milk supply. Latest research suggests that hormones play a major part in sustaining lactation for approximately the first three months, and then autocrine (local) control takes over the main controls. We do know that prolactin surges and levels are highest immediately postpartum, then slowly decrease and plateau at a lower level around three mos.............. It is my theory that many mothers can get away with nursing minimal intervals the first 3 mos, my definition of minimal being 7-8 times a day, but that they may not have laid the necessary foundation for long term supply. It would appear that the high level of hormones continue to support milk supply initially, but that as they decrease, the milk supply slowly slips and one day mom finds her supply inadequate. Many babies also experience growth spurts around the three month mark, and so the transition from hormonal to autocrine control may also be coupled with an additional increase in volume demand, exaggerating the deficit even more. My limited personal observation is that women who have schedule fed from the start, or who encouraged only 7-8 feedings a day early on and did not allow or encourage baby to nurse more frequently during the early months are more vulnerable to this sudden milk supply "loss". (In fact, I find that most mothers aim for 8X a day or every three hours from the start, shying away from the upper range of 12X a day or every 2 hours, without regard for infant feedback) They are often apparently successful for the first 3 mos, but then the bottom just seems to drop out one day. Concurring with my observation is that of a former PREP moderator who noted that almost all of her moms "lost" their milk supplies around the 3 to 4 mos mark.......... coincidentally, they schedule their babies for no more than 8 feeds a day from the start and reduce asap, believing that adequate milk removal is the most important, and independent, variable. I have read several individual stories of the same also. I am not expert enough in the fine points of breast physiology and biochemistry to explain this at a detailed level (Dr. Hartmann, where are you!), but it does seem apparent that the proper groundwork may need to be laid during the first quarter, and when it isn't, supply can falter. I would be glad for someone to pick up on my thoughts and detail them out further. RE: KA's comments about milk intake declining after 4 mos------ Kathleen, it would take me a little longer than forever to dig out the articles. My recollection is a little different than yours; perhaps someone else out there can tell us for sure? I have read that milk supply usually peaks at about 6 mos, then gradually declines. I have always assumed that the decline relates in part to the introduction of solids. It was also recently published-- and mentioned here on Lactnet?--- that babies fed on formula may increase their milk intake beyond 6 mos, while breastfed babies seem to plateau on their intake, literally taking in less milk than their artificially fed counterparts. They apparently become even more energy efficient, and so working/pumping moms may notice that their older babies require less milk than formula fed matches. I'm still convinced that the phenomena that Jack described does exist, and that it is real and not a misperception on the parts of mothers or anyone else. -Lisa Marasco, BA, LLLL, IBCLC