I am most grateful for all of the replies that I received from you
wonderful folks concerning the 4-month old who wouldn't feed unless he was
almost asleep. I got 12 replies--all with brilliant thinking and suggestions.

I had asked several times if anything happened at the 2 1/2 months mark
when baby began to resist feeding--illness, fall, change in parenting, etc.
(thanks for some of the suggestions.)  Mom called me on Saturday to say
that she remembered something.  At that time baby began scratching his head
vigorously all of the time.  She had to put a cap on him to keep him from
scratching at night so he could sleep.  It was such a problem that she took
him to the doctor. Doc told her to use medicated shampoo. (?)  She did.
After 1 1/2 months of using the shampoo he isn't itching any more.

What could the serious itching be?  "Just" an allergic reaction? If it was,
I'll bet his whole body was "screaming."

We had talked about food sensitivities and she stopped the chocolate
binging on Thursday.  Saturday I urged her to go off all dairy also.  She did.

Today I was there and Mom and Dad were just beaming.  Baby had a great day
today.  He didn't cry before going to breast and he lay on his blanket and
played happily for a while, something he hadn't done since the 2 1/2 month
change.

She said that she hadn't had an oversupply of milk in the early months--no
leaking, baby choking, etc.  Her milk supply is good and, hopefully, baby
will show a good weight gain on Friday when he sees the Ped. I have had
other experiences of babies not gaining when there are food allergies. I
heard it first on Lactnet--our dear Lactnet.

By the way, the Ped did tell the parents to stop forcing him to take the
abm, to just feed him at the breast and they would see how his weight was
on Fri. I am calling on the forces of gravity to pull down that scale on
Fri. so that this little one can return to a pleasant feeding experience.

I took her some calcium/magnesium and some almond oil for massaging him.
They are new to the area and don't know where the natural food stores are
so that they can buy such.

I will be away for a few days and hope that upon my return all will be
well.  (For anyone who is concerned, I am the only one of the family who is
getting away.) I will be nomail but will check the archives upon my return
to see any replies.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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