I counseled a pregnant woman last week (gr.I), who was interested in
breastfeeding, but her Doctor told her that because she had her spleen
removed 10 years ago (rupture due to an accident, not illness), breastfeeding
would really knock her out, make her exhausted and her immune system would be
even worse.  Does anybody know anything about this?

By the way,  I'm fairly new to lactnet, but have just been quietly
eaves-dropping.  I listened to the discussion about changing Lactnet to avoid
all the chit-chatty type stuff. I understand that for some it's wonderful to
vent and chat with others in the same field.  The only problem I have with
the format is finding the time to keep up with reading everything.  I
personally would like to see all the "headers"  not be printed, but I guess
that's not possible.  I'm an R.N. and have been with the WIC program for 13
years.   (I must be crazy, I know).  I've been the breastfeeding coordinator
ever since the state said we had to have one, I guess about 6 years.  I was
involved in the state's pilot study project (along with some co-lactneters
that I recognized and enjoyed greeting once again via-mail) to access the
effectiveness of Peer Counselors on Breastfeeding.  The clients we serve are
part rural and part inner-city.  I would like to take my  IBCLC exam in the
future.  I never seem to find the time (or the nerve).  I train peer
counselors, administrate the breastfeeding initiative component of WIC, take
emergency breastfeeding related call at home and do an occasional housecall.
 I breastfed my daughter 27 months after saying I would only try it in the
hospital.  Everything was done incorrectly when I started breastfeeding - was
told to pump because of jaundice, was given a bicycle horn pump, was given
sleeping pills with beer in the hospital, was sent home with formula which of
course I assumed I would need, etc. etc. We got through it and my daughter's
first words were:  "Other one"   :-)      Nice to  meet you all.   Jill