Again like all the other commentaries about breastfeeding, it is clear there are
breastfed children who are autistic.

However, I just had an experience with a mom which took me by surprise.

Met her at 2 weeks, VERY sore nipples, baby biting a lot, we had to work long
and hard (3 visits) to make breastfeeding tolearble, but by 6 weeks she was
breastfeeding MOSTLY without pain.  However, this baby did not look at me or her
- he looked at the lights, the ceiling, my uniform, etc.  He had random smiles,
but not in response to being spoken to or sung to.  She is one of those VERY
verbal moms who spoke to him all the time (unlike me, who, with my firstborn,
"didn't know what to say...").  She and I both were concerned and she took him
to the pediatrician who said she wanted to wait a while before ordering any
tests.  This mom came to my weekly hospital support groups not because of
breastfeeding difficulties, but because she was getting NO positive feedback
from her baby - just my talking to her, encouraging her, and worrying with her.

Well, my son's graduation came with Christmas and I was off the island for 4
weeks in a row - when I got back the mom was there for my first meeting - baby
now 4 months old is VERY responsive, expressive, smiling socially and behaving
very appropriately for his age.

What happened?  Were we worrying needlessly?  Is there still reason for concern?


I don't know the answers - just more questions...

Jeanette Panchula, BA-SW, LLLL, RN, IBCLC
Puerto Rico
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