Help -

August 29

        A long time group mom (second baby) is having a problem that has me
stumped.  Baby is 16 weeks old and weighs approximately 13-14 pounds.  She
has nursed well since birth, though she and mom had a stubborn case of
yeast early on. (Candida has not been present for over a month.)  Up until
three days ago baby preferred the left breast.  At that time baby began
fussing shortly after being put to the left breast and began preferring the
right one.  Yesterday the left breast "stopped working."
        Mom says there was a sudden decline of the milk in left breast
only. (She feels baby was fussing because of the decline.) Upon expression
she obtained only drops nad describes the breast as feeling "three weeks
post weaning."  She reports feeling no fullness recently (as in a breast
that wan't being milked thoroughly) and says that she can feel let down on
the right side as usual, but nothing on th left. Mother preforms self
breast exams reqularly and notes no chages.  She reports no pain.
        Mom received a Norplant (Levonorgestrel) implant in her left arm
about two weeks ago.  At this stage it is delivering about 85mcg per day.
She is a petite lady.  She called her doctor first and was told the
Norplant wouldn't cause that kind of reaction.  The family has undergone
some stress lately.
        My preliminary suggesitons (while I checked the books and talked to
my PL) were to make sure  mom's fluid intake was adequate, breast massage
in the shower and a visit to her HCP for a breast exam.  Mother feels
puming may help, so I suggested short, frequent sessions instead of the
long ones she had been trying.  She would rather continue nurisng on the
right breast alone than wean.  However, she would prefer to "get them both
working again."

Update August 30

        Mom became convinced that the Norplant was playing a part in her
breastfeeding problem.  She went to the ER and had it removed.  Later in
the day she was able to express a small amount of milk.

        Any suggestions,input,ideas?  Have any of you ever delt with such a
drastic drop of milk in one breast in a previously good nursing
relationship?

WarmLLLy,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Tencza in Durham, North Carolina (USA)
Wife to Michael, Mother to Christopher (10) Matthew (8) & Amanda-Eden (5)
and "YaYa" to Celia (11 months)