Dear Pat:

It must be hard with this client to distinguish what is due to her
special health problems, and what is normal fatigue and despair that
many mothers feel at two-weeks postpartum, particularly after overcoming
issues of latch/weight gain/pumping).  Most mothers at two weeks find it
hard to see that daily life will *ever* get better, or how easy nursing
is once the baby is more experienced.  (And she can feed the baby while
laying down, which seems like an incomparable advantage.)

It's probably very basic information for someone of your experience, but
a couple of LEAVEN articles cover working with mothers with chronic
illnesses:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVFebMar00p3.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVFebMar00p5.html

and some journal articles concerning MS at LLLI's Center for
Breastfeeding Information:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/cbi/keywords.html

Also she might not be aware (and someone surely has the exact
references) of studies indicating that breastfeeding reduces the risk of
certain autoimmune diseases. Since her baby may carry a genetic
predisposition to such an illness, she may want to give the baby
whatever margin she can.

Did her symptoms worsen during pregnancy?

Margaret Wills
LLLL

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