>I am still interested in hearing from
>others re my posting of last week about any research or published info on the
>effects, if any, of infant feeding problems and later development of feeding
>disorders in adolescents or young adults.  This question has been asked of me
>by at least 3 of my clients in recent years and I have always reassured them
>that it is unlikely there would be a predispostion toward feeding disorders
>such as anorexia or bulimia because their babies had feeding/sucking problems
>as infant.  However, some references in this area would be appreciated.

No refs, Anna, but my belief is that eating disorders are most likely to
result from a power struggle between the child and the authority (parent or
nurse, for example).  This is more likely, in my opinion, to result when
treating a baby in a disrespectful manner during feeding, force feeding or
gavage feeding when unnecessary.  (I do recognize the proper use of gavage
feeding but feel it can be misused, such as when it is used to feed a
healthy, term newborn in the first 24 hours postpartum who is simply not
interested in bf yet.)

Finally, power struggles over time would in my opinion be more damaging
than a single event.

In conclusion, it is not the presenting problem that plants the seed, it is
our response to it.  My opinion.

Arly in Northern Utah's mountains   <[log in to unmask]>
MS Nutrition, CLE, IBCLC