I have searched the archives, and find posts, just no answers. A mother has
been diagnosed with 'oxytocin allergy' and was put on antihistamines, but they
are not helping.  Baby is now 7 weeks old and mother is choosing to wean
because the intense itching and hives has not let up and she simply cannot function
anymore.  What I am reading in the archives leads me to think that she should
only be having these episodes of itching/hives with the oxytocin surge, but
that they should stop after that?  Yet, hers do not stop.  Also, she has
extremely painful let downs.  She is slowly switching to artificial milk (as pumping
does not bring her any relief) and is not feeling good about the choice.  IF
there is any option for her-- a way to stop the hives and itching -- she would
rather resume breastfeeding.  Right now, she is trying to see if she reaches
a point where she is breastfeeding in such a limited amount that it doesn't
cause the hives and she will continue with that amount.  Any ideas?

On a secondary issue--we discussed guilt.  Her feeling guilty.  Guilty that
she was not able to suffer for her baby, etc.  A chance for me to educate about
the difference between guilt and regret.  About sadness and loss vs not even
wanting to try.  We talked about how good it was that she has stuck with this
so long even though it sends her body into unbearable itching head to toe.
Discussed maternal strength and how good for her baby those 7 weeks are and that
yes, even if she found a level of breastfeeding that was not hive inducing it
mattered enough to do so.

Best,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC
FL. USA

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html