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Subject:
From:
Pamela Morrison IBCLC <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 4 Sep 1998 19:04:58 +0200
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Carolyn, I would like to echo Maureen's encouragement that you are doing
your best!  And to add a story to answer your question, ">What happens if he
does not become hungry? Mum's supply will be gone. So will be his means of
comfort and security."

A similar scenario developed several years ago in my back garden.  My male
cook/housekeeper/right arm (this IS Africa!) had a little girl aged l8
months who appeared to be breastfeeding "all the time", and refusing other
foods.  One fine day her mother decided that if she stopped breastfeeding
completely the little girl would eat more "real food".  So she weaned her,
cold turkey, one Saturday afternoon. The cultural belief here is that if the
mother leaves the baby for a period of time (which mom obviously did)
especially overnight, so that the breasts remain undrained, then on her
return she cannot resume breastfeeding  - because the milk will have become
poisoned. I was alerted by the crying. Nothing I could say or do would
persuade the mother to put the baby back to the breast.  Gradually the
crying stopped, but the totally unexpected outcome was that the baby STILL
refused other foods and starved. She finally developed kwashiokor; her face
and legs became edematous, her hair changed, she had been running around but
now she couldn't walk, and she stopped talking too. Eventually she did
slowly recover, but I have never forgotten this lesson and I tell this story
to any client who is even remotely contemplating abrupt weaning.
Based on this experience, I would advise your client not only to keep
breastfeeding, but to increase it.  The consequences of withholding mother's
milk for this little one could be really serious.  Please keep us posted!

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe

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