mark (04/07/83)
The lack of body fat may be one cause of birth control, but the primary mechanism suppressing ovulation in nursing mothers is hormonal. The sucking of an infant on its mother's breast triggers secretion of oxytoxin, which in turn suppresses the ovulation. The sucking is the key, because if the infant receives other forms of liquid, even water, the sucking is reduced and the level of oxytoxin is reduced, increasing the chance of pregnancy. Not all of the infants sucking results from a need for nourishment, however, some of it is due to wanting comfort and closeness, and thus doesn't reduce the mother's reserves. Just like everything else, the amount of oxytoxin produced by the mothers breast, and the amount required to suppress ovulation vary from mother to mother. So some people may not be able to take advantage of this form of birth control. At the first signs of ovulation following birth, some other method must be relied upon (Rythym, hormonal, or intervention). Substitution of a bottle and formula serves both the nourishment needs and to some extent the sucking needs of the infant without the birth control benefit to the mother. This is highly unfortunate in over-populated and "under-develop- ed" countries where other forms of birth control are unavailable or unaffordable Mark A Carlson Father of Nursing Baby !decvax!microsof!altos86!mark