First off, I want to second Dr. Dettwyler's recommendation to use person-first
language when needing to describe a person's needs, thus the chnage in subject
line.


> I have been working with a mother who has expressed an interest in
> breastfeeding, but I am unsure of encouraging her. She is mentally retarded
> and mentally ill. Gravida 10 Para 9.

Do you think this mom is competent to accurately prepare/store/feed bottles of
formula?  I think also it may be worth considering that formula fetches quite a
price on the black market.  Considering the mom's history of drug addiction, I
would wonder and worry whether the formula would make its way to the baby.

She does not have custody of any of her
> children, but wants desparately to keep this baby. Three of her children
> were born while she was incarcerated. The only job she has ever had was
> "delivering", (delivering what, I ask- cocaine). History of alcoholism and
> drug addiction, cocaine use this pregnancy, suicide attempt (drug overdose)
> this pregnancy, syphillis this pregnancy, currently taking Haldol,
> discovered cardiac problems including congestive heart disease during
> hospitalization for delivery. Poor social support, living in an unsupervised
> home with two other mentally ill women, no income, but eligible for
> benefits.

Would any one of these conditions make breastfeeding more dangerous than formula
feeding?

Anne in Mpls