Hello.  I am a new subscriber and am thrilled and overwhelmed by the
     activities of this group; I hope I can keep up with all this
     mail/news.  I am a pediatric nutritionist at a children's hospital in
     Atlanta, Ga.  I am also an IBCLC.  Because we have no deliveries at
     this facility; my clientele may be a little different.  I see patients
     who may be admitted for breastfeeding failure or are breastfeeding and
     must be admitted for some other reason.  I get to work closely with
     other disciplines, such as nursing, OT's, PT's, ST's, etc.  I also
     work with outpatients; so the specialists here may call on me to see
     patients in a wide variety of settings.  I assist with modified barium
     swallow studies; I help new mothers of infants undergoing gut surgery
     learn how to express milk.  I see babies with inborn errors of
     metabolism, congenital anomalies, and neurologic deficits.  It's vary
     exciting, but sometimes it's nice to see a "plain, old, successful
     breastfeeder" like our employees.

     I'd like to respond to the earlier message of the infant w/bloody

          stools.  It sounds similar to a couple of cases we have had
          here.  One of the pediatric gastroenterologists had an
          infant with what seemed to be idiopathic bloody diarrhea and
          FTT.  Many tests were performed.  Mother had planned to wean
          her child just prior to the illness; because allergic
          response was considered a possible diagnosis, mother chose
          to continue to nurse for comfort and nutrition to the child.
          I thought this was a good idea and instructed mother on the
          elimination of potential allergens from her diet.  This diet
          is very restrictive and unsafe for mother, so it should not
          be followed longterm.  From RAST, we found the child to be
          allergic to most foods.  The end diagnosis was Eosinophilic
          gastroenteritis.  The patient recovered with parenteral
          nutrition and steroid therapy.  It is also suspected that
          breastfeeding due to the large amount of lactose provided
          may have lengthened this patient's illness.  Mother did not
          want to discontinue nursing; I wish I had thought of single
          breast nursing at the time.

     As for lactose as brain food, I believe that lactose is broken down to
     single sugars before it ever reaches an infants brain, as stated
     earlier by a member.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

     My response to a pregnant women who wishes to lose weight or
          reduce during this time is DON'T!  This is a time for growth
          for an unborn child.  This woman may feel more comfortable
          if a qualified health professional assesses her prepregnant
          weight and weight gain and provides her with safe exercises
          for health and toning.  Once she is lactating, she can be
          given nutrition and exercise advice for this special period
          in her life.  Plus!  Lactation assists in hip size reduction
          after delivery.  (hint, hint) Reduction creams don't work.

     I will enjoy hearing more.

     Susan