Dear Lactnetters,

A mom from one of my childbirth classes had a wonderful homebirth on March
11, 1996.  Baby girl weighed 7'4# at birth.  At four weeks she weighed 8'7# .
 She was and still is totally breastfed.

The baby has been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot which according to my
medical dictionary is an anomaly of the heart consisting of pulmonary
stenosis,interventricular septal defect, dextroposed aorta that receives
blood from both ventricles, and hypertrophy of the right ventricle.    Now,
at 8 weeks she weighs only 8'9 and1/2 #.

She appears to have a good latch (I am going to see her tomorrow and will
observe closely and do more evaluating)   In the beginning of each nursing
period she seems to latch and suck well and mom hears swallowing.  As the
nursing time continues she begins to make clicking sounds and she fusses more
and her suck is much less vigorous.  Feedings last an hour or more. She will
often nap, feed, nap, feed.   The mom has had many many plugged ducts which
have gotten better w. all the usual treatments incl. herbs, massage, pumping
with an 015 and lecithin.

The mom feels her milk supply is low, especially on one side which still has
a plug.  The cardiologist told her she must supplement but was vague about
amounts.  The baby is due to have a cardiac catheritization in about 2-3
weeks and he wants her weight up by then.

Have any of you worked w. any babies w. Tetralogy of Fallot?  The
cardiologist told the mom that the heart problems had nothing to do with the
low weight gain. (hard to believe imho)   Mom wants to continue breastfeeding
and will do whatever she needs to.  SNS? Cup feeding or a couple of bottles a
day given by Dad?  Any input from you experts out there will be so
appreciated!!  Thank you so much - it's fabulous to have you all to ask...
Yours, Janaki