"I can't put any scientific or medical input into this, but I have
noticedthat mothers/parents who have had to jump through hoops,  go
through a lotof cash, and all the blood, sweat and tears and
disappointments of it all, are rather *less* likely to breastfeed than
you'd expect for their age, education and economic status."

I think that once you have turned to medical technology to conceive a
baby, you are more likely to turn to medical "technology" in the form
of formula, or medical aivice (from doctors who have less than
adequate training in lactation) for help with breastfeeding.  I think
they have been taught to distrust their bodies by their experiences,
and are so muchmore comfortable with technological interventions
(rather than simple things like changing positioning or more frequent
feedings) that they turn to formula as a more "technological" feeding
method.  It is unfortunate that the fertility treatments may have made
these parents distrust their own bodies & that this would then
negatively impact breastfeeding.  I have noticed that very few
infertility patients I talk to have success breastfeeding for any
length of time.  (Although, perhaps, those with hormonal causes for
infertility might have hormonal causes for lactation problems.)

Teresa Glenn
North Carolina                                                                          mailto:[log in to unmask]