Hi all, I am looking for information especially links or somewhere to
learn more about sensory integration issues as they would relate to
breastfeeding specifically.  I have read some interesting information
about reflux and the link, but not specific to breastfeeding.

 A mom called me a few months back with a baby that appeared to be
having a nursing strike, we discussed how to fix it, and to check with
her doctor to rule out anything physical....ear infection,etc.  Her
doctor suggested cereal, fruit, vegetables,  At three months, that did
not go over well with the baby. She spent so much time skin to skin
and finally he did go back to breastfeeding, but only when asleep.  At
four months she contacted me again, baby was breastfeeding again, but
only during sleeping. He never cries unless she offers to breastfeed,
he does not signal to be  fed ever and if he is more awake than asleep
he absolultely would not breastfeed.  She was willing to continue with
this since anything else made him cry and fight her. This was working
at this age since he did still take a morning nap, an afternoon nap,
and would nurse through the night a few more times.  Weight gain was
actually very good.  He is now six months old, and still will not
signal for feeding in any way, will only take the breast when asleep,
and still refuses any other foods.  Good news...new doctor! When he
saw her at four months he told her to stop trying to force feed him
solids, no more Malox (no diagnosis for refulx), and no more vitamin
supplements.  Says weight gain is still good, babies do very well on
breastmilk alone for the full six months or even a bit more and she
should relax and let him continue to lead the way since he is thriving
and happy. He made her feel so good about her efforts, how much
patience she has, etc.  He suggested offering expressed milk with a
spoon or cup (we already know he will not tolerate a bottle at all)
but the baby will not accept that either. The problem is, his weight
gain started to slack off. Yes, we all know it does in general slow
down, but she is worried it would not be slowing down quite so much if
he would just accept breastfeeding when he is awake.

 Mom is not happy with this anymore.  She wants her baby to nurse.
She wants to be able to know when he is interested and him not to
fight her and kick her, etc.  She is concerned that he seems to
tolerate her breastfeeding him in his sleep and never enjoys it
really.  This is breaking her heart....she just wants to enjoy nursing
her baby.  I am wondering if there is any way that he could be
exhibiting some sensory dysfunction and if ther eis nay way we can
help him.  Mostly though I want to know if there is something I can
look for that would help me as a lactation consultant recognize if
this is sensory related. She if going to have me come for a consult
and do a weight check just to see if he is getting so much milk when
he does finally nurse that he really is just not hungry the rest of
the day? Most of his weight gain was in the first few months.  While
he is double his birth weight, a big amount of that was done during
the first four months.

I have worked with a mom and baby before with sensory issues, but he
loved breastfeeding...hated everything else, but breastfeeding was the
one thing that brought him comfort and pleasure.  I understand breast
aversion related to birth trauma or some other early trigger, but this
baby had a rather typical South Florida birth...induced at 38 weeks
followed by cesarean delivery.  Since this is the majority of
mother/baby pairs I see, I do see plenty of breast refusal in the
early weeks or poor milk transfer and difficulty with latching.   This
baby however was breastfeeding well for the first few months after
those first couple of weeks of difficulty with latching.

Any help is appreciated,


Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, RLC
Florida, USA

PS Can someone send me the correct address to post to since hitting reply 
does not guarantee it goes through. I post through the web, but sometimes I 
just want to use my email.

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
Mail all commands to [log in to unmask]
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask])
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask])
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]