I have searched the archives, and find posts, just no answers. A mother has been diagnosed with 'oxytocin allergy' and was put on antihistamines, but they are not helping. Baby is now 7 weeks old and mother is choosing to wean because the intense itching and hives has not let up and she simply cannot function anymore. What I am reading in the archives leads me to think that she should only be having these episodes of itching/hives with the oxytocin surge, but that they should stop after that? Yet, hers do not stop. Also, she has extremely painful let downs. She is slowly switching to artificial milk (as pumping does not bring her any relief) and is not feeling good about the choice. IF there is any option for her-- a way to stop the hives and itching -- she would rather resume breastfeeding. Right now, she is trying to see if she reaches a point where she is breastfeeding in such a limited amount that it doesn't cause the hives and she will continue with that amount. Any ideas? On a secondary issue--we discussed guilt. Her feeling guilty. Guilty that she was not able to suffer for her baby, etc. A chance for me to educate about the difference between guilt and regret. About sadness and loss vs not even wanting to try. We talked about how good it was that she has stuck with this so long even though it sends her body into unbearable itching head to toe. Discussed maternal strength and how good for her baby those 7 weeks are and that yes, even if she found a level of breastfeeding that was not hive inducing it mattered enough to do so. Best, Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC FL. USA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html