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Subject:
From:
"Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 9 Nov 2001 21:22:26 -0500
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I agree with Gonneke's questioning of the direction of the relationship
between autism and lack of breastfeeding.  In my own practice, the one
little boy who has turned out to have autism was difficult to feed, and
his mother stopped breastfeeding after about 4 days.  He wound up on
casein hydrolysate abm for about 2 years, and was diagnosed with PDD
(pervasive developmental disorder, an "autistic spectrum" disorder") by
age 3.

My son's closest friend has Asperger's syndrome (a "high functioning"
autistic spectrum disorder), and he was breastfed for a biologically
normal period of time.  I don't remember his mom having any feeding
issues with him at all, and we've known each other since the boys were a
few months old.

I would love to know which was the chicken, and which the egg, if there
is a relationship.  I do remember reading an article (years ago) in New
Beginnings by a mother who breastfed her two sons, both of whom were
autistic, both mildly affected.

We know that children with autistic spectrum disorders have problems
with sensory integration and often muscle tone.  Perhaps those who are
mildly affected are easier to breastfeed, and those who are more
severely affected are too difficult for most moms to manage.  And
perhaps the breastfeeding helps to repair some of the problems, and
those children with the genetic predisposition to autism who are lucky
enough to be breastfed are better off.  I would certainly bet on
breastfeeding being helpful.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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