Has anyone worked with a mom with
>MS?
>
Kathy,
I have had a mother with MS.  One thing that meant a lot to her was
knowing that formula feeding increases the risk of MS--and breastfeeding
thus would lower  the risk of her daughter having her struggle.  Knowing
the MS was in the family, she felt it was something she could do for her
daughter.  She also was glad she could feed on the floor without getting
up on bad days.  This mom had other confounding factors like burn scar
tissue on the breasts, thrush, and a stressful home life.  She was
bottlefeeding and breastfeeding the first 6 weeks before we met but went
on to breastfeed exclusively.  She often wondered if her MER was affected
by the MS.  After some time of working together I think she and I
realized the stress was a much greater factor.  She called for support a
number of times.  Towards the end of the first year she called and was so
grateful and happy for the continued breastfeeding.  I think the
accomplishment gave her confidence as a mother.

MS will probably get worse pp, just because it gets worse often at this
time.  Riordan and Auerbach have a nice piece on MS & BF in the Bf &
Human Lactation book.

Your support may allow this mom to separate the exhaustion of having a
baby from the breastfeeding.  My mom was also getting family pressure to
wean out of concern for mother's exhaustion.

If mom really wants to formula feed at this point, maybe meet her where
she is at and compromise with extra formula (or expressed breastmilk?) at
night if she thinks it helps.  I haven't quite figured out all the
reasons moms do this, but they too seem to need the support for their own
way.  (Of course I always let them know it doesn't have to be a permanent
thing....)

Best to you as you help her in her journey,
Natalie Shenk BS IBCLC
Findlay Ohio USA