Wendy asked about Spina Bifida:

Hi, this  is the first time I have posted but have learned a lot from this 
list.  I  currently have a relative who is expecting a baby with Spina Bifida.  
She  is unsure of the severity, etc.
Even before the Spina Bifida was diagnosed, she was ambivalent about  
breastfeeding and wanted me to tell her why "she should breastfeed" because she  felt 
kind of "yucky about it".
I am wondering if anyone knows of any  research, handouts, anything I could
d physically give her to show how  important it will be to provide breastmilk 
to this already fragile infant?   I want to encourage and support her without 
adding to her stress and  worries.  Thank you very much.
 
I have no research or handouts, but I do have dear  friends who son is now 24 
y o and has a  lumbar spina  bifida.  His involves lack of control over 
bladder and bowels and  catheterization is needed for emptying the bladder as well 
has some  paralysis.  He used crutches, braces,  and now a wheel chair. 
 
His parents thought it vital to breastfeed him and  attribute both that and 
chiropractic treatment to the fact that he was  virtaully the only one in the 
hospital spina bifida clinics who didn't  constantly have urinary tract 
infections or other infections for that  matter.  He was and is generally healthy 
with no complications to his shunt  for hydrocephalus.  He was breastfed for at 
least two  years.
 
Mardrey Swenson
 
 







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