Hi Jessica:  I had a similar experience, except that my baby didn't need 
hospitalization.

She (3rd baby) was nursing practically around the clock, but didn't seem 
satisfied.  I was doing everything I knew to increase milk supply to no 
avail.  I began to suspect pregnancy, so went to doc for a test.  I was 
pregnant, and this baby was only 6 months old.  I was nearly 4 months 
pregnant.  I had no symptoms, just put two and two together.  My baby had 
dropped at least a pound.  I was pretty shocked.

I immediately tried solids, she threw it up.  She would have been content to 
continue nursing around the clock, and vehemently refused the bottle of 
formula, but I had to insist that she take it.  In 1980, the SNS was being 
used for relactation or beginning lactation for adoptive moms, but neither I 
or anyone else thought of using it to keep my baby at the breast.  If I 
nursed her prior to giving the bottle, she would totally refuse the bottle. 
So, after time and several formulas later, my happily breastfed baby became 
a happy bottle fed baby.  She weighed 6-13 at birth and 16 lbs. at a year.

The changes in her were so subtle, no one, including me, even noticed until 
she became more active, playful and responsive to family members, that 
something was wrong.

Very scary and what a big surprise!!  Patti Hall


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shaya & Jessica Billowitz" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 3:02 PM
Subject: baby losing weight and pregnancy


>I wanted to share an interesting case with you all.
> One of the pediatricians I work with called me.  He wanted me to go see a 
> baby who was admitted to the hospital due to extreme loss of weight.  He 
> had seen this baby at 5 months who was gaining very nicely.  He saw baby 
> again at  7 1/2 months and the baby had lost a kilo and a half and looked 
> half starved.  Was admitted to hospital to run all tests, thyroid, 
> celiacs, etc. and all came out normal.  Baby was then on a NG tube because 
> at 7 and a half months, refused to take anything besides the breast.  Test 
> weights showed he transferred 60 cc from mom each feed.  Mom insisted she 
> had been very busy with 3 other little ones, two major Jewish holidays, 
> and maybe her milk supply had gone down but did not really notice he was 
> starving.  She was quite horrified at the outcome, and I felt she was not 
> irresponsible, just over worked.  The doc called me because he knew that I 
> sometimes use a tube at the breast to give supplements, and the only thing 
> holding back this baby from discharge was getting him to take extra food. 
> The baby had gained beautifully with the supplements.  He told all the 
> pediatric staff about my "method", and of course they were all dying to 
> learn it.  So he wanted me to go put on a show.  Well, who of you can 
> guess what would happen with a 7 month old who had been put into the 
> hospital, poked and prodded, and anyways enjoying acrobatic breastfeeding? 
> Of course it flopped, but I had luckily given a very big disclaimer to the 
> 10 or so docs who came in to watch my performance.  Talk about 
> "performance anxiety!"
> Anyway, to make a long story short, her Ped wanted me to fix whatever had 
> gone wrong.  I told him something did not sit right with me with the whole 
> story.  To lose that much weight, just because she was tired and 
> overworked...
> I discussed with mom all the issues.  She still insisted that maybe she 
> didn't drink/rest enough, maybe wasn't eating well...
> I asked if she was pregnant.  "NO!"
> Are you sure?
> Well, yes, because I always feel a certain way when I am pregnant...
> Maybe you have been so busy you didn't realize?
> She went home from hospital that day to do a pregnancy test and sure 
> enough....
> The Ped thought I was a total genius, but I told him I was just thinking 
> logically.
> Anyone ever have that drastic of a supply loss- to the point where the 
> baby ended up hospitalized for weight loss...because of pregnancy?
> I guess if a woman's body is that worn down....
> Would love to hear comments,
> Jessica Billowitz, IBCLC
> Israel
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