Along the threads of relactation, nursing staff reactions, etc...When my
son was 2.5 years (now 6.5 years--no he's not still nursing fyi) he
experienced a spiral fracture of his femur after sticking and falling on
gym floor.  To make a long, horrible story short, he had two surgeries,
traction for 6 weeks and a body cast for 6 more weeks.  He was in extreme
pain with lightening spikes of pain because they waited 8 hours to do the
first surgery (on the premise that he had just eaten a muffin before the
break ocurred) and the muscles had contracted around the complete break  to
pin his leg.  He had previously weaned himself, but he wanted desparately
to nurse, so I let him.  It was the only thing that would kill the
pain--better than morphine.  I relactated within days (always had a great
supply).  He didn't eat any solid food for 8 or 9 days, but recovered in
half the time predicted.  During the whole process, nurses kept coming up
to me and whispering "I nursed my child for 3 years" (or 4, or 2).  It
really highlighted what a closet nursing society we are.  I was treated
abruptly by several nurses, but the orthopedic surgeon had been in the
Peace Corp and seen "extended nursing."  He wrote a prescription for bf on
demand that precluded the harrassing nurses from interupting us (because
some nurses felt the need to 'change the sheets' every time he nursed).
        I write this because I just read Milk, Money and Madness and found
the section on nursing the elderly, infirmed and imprisoned quite
enlightening (I had NO idea).
Chris

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Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC email: [log in to unmask]
   HSR & Educational Consultant         fax:   541 753 7340
  Health Improvement Research Services  voice:   541 753-7340
               **CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**
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