Dear lactnet,
This is a very interesting discussion with lots of info and reminders in
there.
Just to add from my own experience of working with mums - I worked with 2
mums with weight gain issues where the mums probably had eating disorders.
The first came to a LLL meeting worried about weight gain - she was so thin
in the arm I asked her was she ill. She was wearing strange clothes, in
that her clothes looked home made, uniformly pale blue (obviously not
usually an issue) and super baggy . Sadly she gave up breastfeeding. I was
trying not to be judgemental about her look but I suspected later that she
was anorexic. The second mum came often to the group. Weirdly I knew from
her mother-in-law that she had food issues - again very skinny, but
perfectly turned out (hair matched her clothes). I think she breastfed for
a while but gave up with weight gain issues after about 8 weeks.With her
second baby I had more contact and she got in touch as the baby became
fussy. We discussed food and when she increased her calorie intake the baby
was less fussy. I think she knew her calorie intake was usually 1500
calories /day - huge red flag for lots of reasons. I think she breastfed to
nearly a year. I remember chatting to a midwife friend about the 2 cases,
as we are told that mums in a famine can breastfeed. She pointed out that
anorexia is a huge issue for the body over years and so presumably the body
has no fat stores. I also suspect the famine issue is complicated.
Detective work is what makes breastfeeding problems so interesting.
Nearly forgot I also had 3 mums with baby struggling with weight gain where
dad was smaller than mum - shorter and finer. All kept breastfeeding and
the weight issues resolved over time. One of the mums it was her second
baby ~(out of 4) who struggled - health visitor weighed the baby weekly and
came to the conclusion that baby had a high metabolism, she is now a finely
built skinny teen. (I am not convinced about the metabolism but mum is also
tall and thin, while dad is short and neat, so who knows).
Hope that is some help.
Best wishes,
Sarah McCann
BScHons, PgDip, IBCLC, LLL Leader
Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome