I've written to you about this mom that I see at WIC that has a "low wt
gain" baby.  He has a heart condition but of course breastfeeding is why
he isn't gaining wt!!!!!!!!!!!!!  How can I help this mom.  She was in
tears on the phone to me yesterday.  They are "accusing" her of not
feeding her baby.  She breastfeeds him "lots" and offers food but he
isn't really interested.  He eats "more butter than the whole family"
because that is one of the suggestions to add fat calories.  She has seen
nutritionists at Childrens Hospital and local hospital.  I have spoken
with the one locally and while she supports breastfeeding she also feels
his wt drop off is quite notable and drastic and that the mom is
breastfeeding too much.  She did get one MD to believe breastfeeding was
not the only problem here.
This baby gained well and thrived the first 6 mos.  He is 11mos old and
weighs 17 lbs 15 oz.  He has gained about 1pound in the last month since
they have been on her back but previous 4 mos next to nothing.  I know I
should get these figures more exact for you to help me but I'm at home
and her chart is at work.  Poor mom states (in tears) that she is
beginning to think the worst decision she ever made is to not give him a
pacifier or lovey, cause now he won't eat.  He just wants breastmilk.
GEEESH!  Am I off base in thinking there isn't much of a problem here.

PS  His most recent heart ultrasound showed no need for an operation at
this point, or so I'm told.

Warmly, Ilene Fabisch, Brockton, MA
"Each day is a blank canvas waiting for our unique brushstrokes to create
a masterpiece."