This is to Barbara in Australia.

You described a baby who refuses the breast when awake yet, will take in substances in his sleep. Mom and baby are working on possible physical reasons for this behavior. Yet, physical treatment has not yet been met with success. You asked  if the baby may be anorexic. In other words, it sounds like you are thinking that there might be an emotional reason for the behavior.

It certainly sounds like this baby might benefit from some help from a psychotherapist with an "object relations"- (Klein)  background.  This model explains similar behaviors and provides warm solutions for change. 

  "Eating disorders" in infancy are named differently but are recognized and described similarly. You might enjoy reading material by Dr. Otto Weininger, on this topic. He explains complex behaviors in a simple way. 

Barbara, if you want more details please feel free to contact privately. 

Keren Epstein-Gilboa MEd, BScN,RN,IBCLC,LCCE,
PhD (Candidate) 
Psychotherapist

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