All of the talk about bulemia and eating disorders and FTT babies made me
think about a mother I've worked with recently who has a history of
anorexia, has eaten as little fat as possible for many, many years and
presented with a FTT baby at 5 weeks.  She is given instructions on how to
manage, she "modifies" instructions as she sees fit, justifies it in her
mind and goes on.  The first week working with her baby ultimately ended up
in the hospital because she changed the instructions to meet her
justifications and baby ended up losing weight.  She blamed doctors and med
center when baby became sick with a cold, etc, etc.  Even now, one month
later her milk supply is non-existent but she will not pump more than 5
times a day (if she's really doing that) insists that she wants a medication
to boost production (someone told her about synocin nasal spray) and blames
the pump as being defective.  She is without a doubt the most frustrating
woman I've ever worked with.  Luckily the baby is now being followed VERY
closely by the pediatrician and home health and is gaining.  We all worry
that after mother is no longer watched so closely, however, she will go back
to the breast and lose ground again.  This woman has serious problems but
pinpointing them, getting her care (when she doesn't follow through), etc.,
has been a real challenge and worry.

Denise Parker, BA, IBCLC
La Crescenta, CA