Lactnetters,

I am currently working with a mother who appears quite "spacey".  She has a
baby whose weight gain has been inadequate (still at birth weight at 3
weeks/at 3.5 week recheck weight was down 1.7 ounces).  She has a rash that
she claims is from a reaction to amoxicillan.  She handles her baby poorly
and doesn't grasp instruction well. She has virtually no support system in
place.

After the second visit, where I sent her home with instructions to feed the
baby, full supplement of ABM I called the pediatrician.  His take on her was
that she has a low IQ (he estimated 80-90) and was not capable of making
decisions but must be told what to do each step of the way.  He was very nice
and concerned and also informed me that he intended to tell the mother to
stop breastfeeding and bottlefeed because he felt that she wasn't capable to
doing breastfeeding with supplementation without becoming confused.  He felt
the rash was definately not from antibiotics but rather scabbies or severe
eczema that is further aggrivated by nerves.

Last night I had a call from an LLL Leader who also happens to work at the
clinic where I saw this mother.  The mother called and wanted meeting
information and informed the leader that she was working with an LC and
giving some supplement as needed.

The mother has an appointment to see me today.  Any information any of you
have about working with low functioning adults, tips on social services that
may be able to step in and provide some assistance and support, other
thoughts would be appreciated.

I intend to explore other local resources today also but would appreciate
your input.  While I do have some expereience with this population it was in
a much smaller community than southern CA where I could drop by daily on my
way home from work and provide some information and support.  This is not
realistic here.

Denise Parker, BA, IBCLC