problems with the baby (who feeds well by day and once at night), but MUM
has
dislocating hips (both sides) which are causing her a lot of pain.   She
has
been seen by an orthopaediac specialist who says that the breastfeeding is
causing continuing high levels of the hormone RELAXIN in her system, hence
the joint weakness.

To quote Dr. Jack again, breastfeeding is being sacrificed on the alter of
ignorance again.  Breastfeeding has nothing to do with this, pregnancy and
childbirth does.

I would bet sizable sums of money that her hips are not dislocating.  What
is probably happening is that her sacro-iliac joint (where the back bone
connects to the pelvis) is subluxed.    That are the little dimples in the
small of your back, on either side of that flat triangle region above the
crack of the buttock.  To get an idea of my theory of this problem do the
following demonstration:  Make a fist with each hand and put your hands
together knuckle-to-knuckle with the palms facing down.  Your knuckles
should sort of fit together like pieces of a jig-saw puzzle.  Now twist one
of your hands 45 degrees down (an over exaggeration of the displacement
happens in the hip) and you see that your knuckles don't fit together as
well.

This woman should go and see an good chiropractor or an osteopath that is
experience in manipulative therapy.  The last thing she needs is an
orthopedic SURGEON.  She doesn't need surgery nor drugs and she sure
doesn't need to stop breastfeeding. URGGGH!!!!!

As an MD I am one of the rare ones that have taken extra training in
manipulative medication from physical therapists from Great Britain and
doctors skilled in manipulation from Canada and also from osteopaths.  I
didn't learn any of this in medical school or residency but I know enough
now to help many of my patients without using any drugs and they FREQUENTLY
get near immediate relief.

Jon Ahrendsen MD FAAFP
LLLI Medical Associate
Clarion, Iowa