I am a LLL Leader and WIC Peer Counselor. I am posting on behalf of a fellow WIC PC, about one of her clients. The mother is 27 years old, Spanish-speaking, and this is her second baby. Her first baby was breastfed for about 3 months, at which time the mother might have had mastitis; she didn't seek help or treatment with breastfeeding that child. The current baby is one month old, weighed 5 lb. 6 oz at birth, but is healthy. The mother had cracked nipples, at the tips, in the beginning. She used an electric pump from WIC, and working with her WIC PC, overcame the nipple soreness and is healed from that. The problem is a strange sensation the mother feels when the baby latches on. She feels like there is "air in her breast" (that's the best description she can give her PC), the feeling comes up to her mouth, which feels like she's "sucked on a lemon." Her teeth hurt and she feels sick. This feeling is strong and unpleasant enough that she can't wait to end the feeding, and in fact, is only breastfeeding at night. During the day, she pumps and gives the breastmilk in a bottle. ****Pumping causes no discomfort or bad feelings.**** The mother is determined to breastfeed, and wishes she could stop using the pump and just breastfeed. I've searched the archives, but then this is a difficult subject to label. I would appreciate any sort of feedback: if you've heard of anything like this; what other questions you would ask the mother. In the back of my mind, I wonder if there could be a history of sexual abuse, especially because the pumping causes no problems, but breastfeeding gives her a sick feeling. But then, what is the breastfeeding counselor's role in that situation? Thanks in advance. Sally Bishop La Leche League Leader WIC Peer Counselor *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html