In a message dated 7/15/02 7:56:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< > This educationalist wanted to know if there was litterature or cases of
> mentally disabled mothers breastfeeding, for having arguments to give to
her
> colleagues : at the next staff reunion, she want to advocate breastfeeding
> for this mother.
> >>
In my work for WIC, I have had a few mentally disabled clients breastfeed.
In one case, the client lived with her mother who had breastfed all her
children for years, and in their culture it was simply the way babies are
fed. (yea!) She did have her mother basically supervising everything, but
she needed supervision in all aspects of childcare..not just breastfeeding.
In another case, the client and her also mentally disabled husband (in his
case was a brain injury) lived independently, with alot of support. She
breastfeed very successfully for several months, as I recall exclusively for
a while. I don't recall anyone giving her any particular support..she may
have had a visiting nurse for a while postpartum. The child thrived. When
she finally weaned when the child was an older infant, I recall having fits
teaching her how to properly mix formula. (this was many years ago, and I
dont' recall the specifics of why she weaned..it may have had something to do
wtih her beginning working at a supervised job)
Another client I recall recently had an infant who did not seem to take to
breastfeeding, and of course the experts switched her to formula...she didnt'
feed well on formula for the first few weeks either..and developmental issues
for the infant herself came to light. (IE..this infant had feeding problems
period...difficulty coordinating suck breathe and swallow) I personally
called the red flag on this infant to the peditrician and visiting nurses
after witnessing the mom attempting a feed with a bottle and the infant (who
hadn't eaten in like six hours)..unable to organize herself enough to feed.
Happily the feeding problems eventually resolved and the infant is finally
growing well, now at about 5 months old; although she didnt end up
breastfeeding. She is followed by Early Intervention now for her
developmental issues.
In a way, the mental disablity can be an advantage, because these moms are
often less knowledgeable about the so-called *advantages* ahem of formula
feeding, and just never really consider it. They don't seem to be prone to
confidence problems regarding worrying about whether they have enough milk or
not. Given the support of key people around them, there should be no
problems that can't be overcome.
In advocating for this mother to other professionals, I would emphasize that
the infant is at risk itself for developmental issues, and
breastfeeding/breastmilk is the best food for optimum brain growth. (Not to
mention the closeness and bonding issues)
Also the hygiene issue is key. Breastmilk is sterile. (Well not
sterile..but pathogen-free) It is easy for any person to mishandle formula,
and frankly I have seen far too many mentally limited mothers doing very
scary things with formula. (Heck, I've seen far too many mentally normal
mothers doing very scary things with formula). Even ready-to-feed formula
can be easy to contaminate. Bottles must be cleaned and formula stored and
discarded properly.
June Eastman, IBCLC
Lawrence Massachusetts WIC Program
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