Catherine Genna posts about a breast refusing, ill baby.  I wonder if the
prednisone has further suppressed immune function and created oral thrush
which has made milk taste bad.  I had a personal experience with this.
Needed large injection of pred.and then a week of oral pred. for an injury.
My mouth was very sore, and everything I ate tasted metalic.  So not only is
baby perhaps dealing with sensorily conditioned aversion, but alterations in
taste as well.  I solved my own problem by gargling with baking soda and
water -- the ancient LLL advice.  I realize this is risky for babies due to
hypernatremia risks, but I wonder if the mother could ask the doctors use
diflucan elixir for a test to see if fungal overgrowth is an issue.  If that
would improve taste, perhaps a small bit of progress could be made.  Also
remember, refusing to eat is a real sign of serious illness in humans and
animals.  Mom needs counseling to remember that she is seeing that
phenomenon.  I still believe that when infants refuse the breast it strikes
at the heart of mother because it feels like personal rejection.  Moms need
a big reality check to see it as baby having trouble with a PROBLEM not with
their RELATIONSHIP.

These very sick infants are so scary and heartbreaking.  I feel for you all.
Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html