Theresa,
       I'm sure you have some info on the syndrome by now but thought I would
share my limited knowledge.
       There is a deceleration of birth length by about 2 months and obesity
often sets in by as early as 6 months. Later in life, children develop an
unusual obsession with eating and seem to have an absent sense of satiation. There
is also a tendency to diabetes.
       Because of the obesity symptoms and eating related disorders, I
believe breastfeeding is extremely important for babies with this syndrome. The
obesity is related to a sometimes severely hypotonic state in infancy and
excessive intake later. Often, the baby's mental deficiency seems more severe because
of the hypotonia, which improves with age. This may lead some to suggest
(prematurely) this baby can't breastfeed. Failure to thrive, respiratory infections
and the use of feeding tubes are common.
       I think the best approach is to assist in the breastfeeding management
of a hypotonic baby and educate the mother on the benefits of breastfeeding
when symptoms like obesity, respiratory infections, and eating disorders are
prevalent. I am not a doctor or a specialist in genetics but it is my humble
opinion that the small frequent feeds of breastfed babies can only be beneficial
to babies with Prader-Willi. I have known two breastfed babies with this
syndrome, neither of whom were classified obese by age 1 (then I lost contact).
Obviously, the lactation research on breastfeeding and obesity speaks for itself.
This will be a good start for symptoms related to overeating that often show
themselves in childhood. A manageable pumping and alternative feeding plan may
also be needed right away.
       Like most syndromes, there is a wide variance in severity of symptoms
so this case will certainly be unique to another. I am not sure if there is
specific research on breastfeeding and this syndrome. Hope that helps some.
Heather Dana

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