Barbara,
Well, this is certainly not a breastfeeding problem. Nor is is a vegan diet
problem. In a sense, the vegan diet question is moot, since mom is no longer vegan.
But, when you say you suggested B12, does this mean she was not taking any? How long
has she been vegan?

Honestly, I would ask a million questions.

It sounds like mom may well have poor gut health. I would be taking a
comprehensive history especially as it relates to diet, her birth, prenatal health history,
and so much more. If the doctor thinks mom has allergies, to what does he think she is
allergic? Based on what eval? I would be inclined to suspect soy and/or gluten. I would
be concerned about her thyroid (low energy, hair loss--any other thyroid symptoms??) I
would also be concerned about her adrenals. Zinc deficiency can also cause skin problems
and hair loss.

At the very least, I would have mom eliminate soy and gluten, possibly corn (better
to have muscle testing though), add healthy fats like coconut and avocado. I almost
always have moms in such situations take a green food, a protein powder high in omega-3s
such as hemp, and possibly other super foods.

I would be more inclined to think auto-immune, rather than suppressed immune system. Did
she have an oversupply with this baby? What symptoms of allergy does the child have?

If mom has a lot of metals in her body and had rapid weight loss with breastfeeding,
she could be experiencing detox as those metals are mobilized from her fst cells and
into her blood stream and organs. She could be deficient in vit D, magnesium (most
people are), all or any of the fat soluble vitamins or iodine. She could have yeast and
a biotin deficiency (skin and hair again).

Barbara, if this is someone near you, I can give you the name of an excellent
naturopath in CT pretty close to you. The naturopath is vegan, and her many years
breastfed children have been raised vegan, so if mom wants to eat a vegan diet,
she would get great support. Either wsy, she needs some dietary eval and someone to
look at overall nutritional profile.

Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
Intuitive Parenting Network, LLC



Date:    Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:04:45 EDT
From:    [log in to unmask]
Subject: depleted mom of 11 mos old

I have mom's permission to post part of her email to me below.   I already
suggested B12, and a good fish oil for omega 3's, plus info from LLL  and
kellymom.  If you have expertise about vegan diets, any additional  suggestions
would be helpful.  Thank you.  I also discussed ways to  help with frequent
nursing and solid eating toddler style which doesn't include  high chair, 3
meals a
day, rather safe food at child's level for easy access to  baby on the go.
(this child is 11 mos and beginning to walk).  I also  expressed to mom that her

immune function is likely compromised likely causing  the allergy and
infection...am I correct in this thinking?
What deficiency would cause hair loss?  (I also mentioned anemia as
possible).

**I've been working hard ever since I moved down here, cooking macrobiotic
meals for clients from my home. My load recently increased so I can pay my
bills, and I feel it wearing on my health. I think that in combination with
breastfeeding Isabel (she is 25.5 lbs.) day and night, and eating a vegan diet
(whole grains, beans, tofu, tempeh, sea vegetables, vegetables, fruits), I am
feeling very depleted. Anyway, recently I came down with conjunctivitis and
have  had cold sores on my mouth for about 4 weeks, and the doctor says I have
allergies causing stuffy ears, nose, sore throat. I'm tired and just don't have
 very much energy. My hair was falling out in large amounts until recently.
I'm  not sure if it is related, but I started eating fish and eggs the past two
weeks  to try to build up my strength. Maybe that has helped with lessen the
hair  loss.**

Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC







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