This must be my week to see breastfeeding success, and I must share this
rather complicated story.  Almost 4 yrs ago I saw a  baby with hydrocephalus
(shunt in place) who was on a persistant nursing strike.  He'd nurse one
side, but refused the other.  Mom was primip, and was beside herself over
the breast refusal.  I observed the feed and felt the baby (a normal,
opinionated 4 mo. old) disliked the sensation of pressure on his shunt due
to the way mom was holding him.  We experimented with various positions, and
the problem resolved nicely.  She allowed me to take some photos, and I have
a nice slide or two of him.

This mother called me today to share a really neat story.  She cont. to
nurse til baby was 3.5 and only then weaned close to time baby # 2 arrived.
A yr. ago the boy got mysteriously sick; no fever, but because he wouldn't
nurse mom knew something was very wrong. Pedi and neurologist both seen, but
couldn't find problem.  Baby began to hold himself in weird postures,
moaning in pain.  Mom insisted baby be admitted, and as plans were being
made, baby choked, aspirated, turned blue.  Dad did CPR until EMS
helicoptered him to hospt.  At hospt. it was discovered his shunt had
perforated his stomach lining and he had peritonitis. aThe shunt was
plugged, so he also had painful build up of cerebral fluid pressure which
had led to weird posturing and inability to cope with vomit.  He got several
other infections during all repairs etc. but throughout mom cont. to nurse.
Boy was flat on back in bed, so she leaned over him and hung her breasts in
his mouth.  The neurologist (who to be fair was concerned for how totally
exhausted she was) advised her to wean because "after all he was a big boy."
Luckily she refused, stating that to wean a sick child seemed harsh.  He
didn't pressure her, and the baby made a nice recovery and went home after
several weeks.

Now here is the cool part.  The mom took the boy in for a routine CAT scan
recently.  The neurologist is amazed to discover that the brain has filled
in.  Apparantly (and I hope I can describe this accurately) the ventricles
which are filled with fluid in the hydrocephalic patient prevent  normal
brain growth which would attempt to fill in those sponge-like cavities with
tissue.  Even after shunting, the cavities in many cases do not fill in.
These kids often have a range of neurological problems, seizures, etc. So it
is unusual for  the CAT to show what looks like a basically normal brain
(except for the shunt of course.) The doctor asked the mother "what miracle
drug are you giving this kid?"  The mother told me that she feels the years
of human milk is what has maximized this brain growth.  She asked me if
there were articles she could share with the neurologist.  I will look, and
certainly will share the Lucas article, but would welcome other suggestions.
I think the DHA additives attempting to imitate what is in human milk is a
kind of back-handed compliment, and suggested she mention that.

I told her to speak up from her own experience and make the point that it is
well understood that emphasizing good nutrition is a common suggestion when
adults have health problems.  Why would perfect nutrition not be beneficial
to the ill or compromised infant? Especially when brain growth conts. for at
least 3 years. She has such a neat chance to help this neurologist make a
connection he may not have ever appreciated.

Anyway, I was flooded with the deepest gratitude upon hearing this story for
being able to participate in the work we all do supporting these heroic parents.
Barbara

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