Hi,

I'm fairly new at being an LC, though I've been an Australian Breastfeeding
Assoc counsellor for several years.  I'd like your advice on a client who
has an appointment to see me in a couple of days.  The mother in question
was referred to me by social workers who work in the same centre as I do.
The mother has 6 sons ranging from 14yrs to 7wks. (5 still living at home,
the eldest has left home) The social workers believe she is using
breastfeeding as an excuse to neglect her other children.  The case is so
serious that they want to remove her children from her.  The details I have
are that the mother breastfeeds continually "every 1/2 hr" and refuses to
implement settling techniques that she has been taught by the social
workers.  She is adicted to gambling and the internet.  Her partner has a
history of violence towards her.  The house is apparently disgusting.  The
baby appears to be thriving, and growing like a mushroom the social workers
said, (One said 'probably because she lets him sleep with her and he just
helps himself all night' - I took it they didn't approve)  I got no sense
that drugs or alcohol were involved.  The mother has been assessed as *not*
having postnatal depression.  I tried to gently point out that there may be
benefits from her breastfeeding in these circumstances - bonding with the
baby, the fact that the baby's nutritional needs are met, the baby is
thriving, the fact that if gambling and money is a problem, formula supplies
may be inconsistent.  They felt that she was using breastfeeding as an
'excuse' and that if she could space out the baby's feeds she could attend
to the house and other children.  The social workers agreed that
breastfeeding has many benefits, but if she loses custody of the children,
then she won't be breastfeeding anyway.  I truly can't see that curtailing
breastfeeding would mean that she would be motivated enough to care for the
children properly, and I haven't heard the mother's side of this, but any
thoughts/or ideas would be greatly appreciated

Regard,
Barb
Barb Glare
IBLC, ABA counsellor BFHI Assessor
Vic Branch Calendar orders [log in to unmask]

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