Hi, My name is Melissa Whitesock. I am a junior nursing student of
Cindy Anderson's at the University of North Dakota.
I have been doing some research on women who have had eating disorders
for many years and are wishing to breastfeed. I have searched the
archives and the only information I have found is that low milk supply
is related to anorexia and increased milk supply is related to bulemia.
I understand that when a breastfeeding mother does not get the
nourishment she needs, she runs the risk of using up her own nutrient
stores to provide for her baby's nourishment, although her milk will
still be best for her baby (Mohrbacker & Stock, 1997). I also
understand that calories are one of the most important factors in a
breastfeeding woman's diet to sustain milk supply (Olds, 2000, p.344).
I have found that pregnancy can complicate an eating disorder for women,
especially when the woman is informed that breastfeeding can help her
shed pounds gained during pregnancy faster (Mohrbacker & Stock, 1997).
I have not been able to find any information on how the quality of
breastmilk is affected by a woman who has had a long-term eating
disorder, but I have found that after recovering from an eating disorder
and following a carefully monitored diet, by healthcare workers,
throughout pregnancy, few nutrient deficiencies were revealed in the
breastmilk (Carlson-Bowles & Prater-Williamson, 1990). I was wondering
if anyone has any information about the quality of breastmilk of a woman
who has not gotten any help for her long-term eating disorder?
Thank You.
Melissa Whitesock
Student Nurse
University of North Dakota
References:
Carlson-Bowles, B. & Prater-Williamson, B. (1990). Pregnancy and
Lactation Following Anorexia and Bulimia. Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 19(3) 243-248.
Mohrbacker, N. & Stock, J. (1997). The Breastfeeding Answer Book.
Schaumburg, Illinois: La Leche League International.
Olds, S. (2000). Maternal Newborn Nursing. Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall Health.
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