Just as with lactation consultation, nursing and other health professions,
the emphasis in medicine is on evidence-based practices. Therefore, this doc
must be in possession of some valid research evidence the rest of us are not.
If the mother is interested in continuing to breastfeed, I'd suggest she
request a copy of any scientific literature that has demonstrated a
connection between her symptoms (which don't alll seem to "connect") and
breastfeeding. I'd also ask her how it may affect her or her toddler if she
weans and discovers she still has symptoms.

Is it time for a second or third opinion? Some of her symproms could be
indicative of a serious health problem. Has she had blood work done recently?
Has she been referred for a dietetic workup? Has she seen a neurologist or
perhaps a rheumatologist about the tingling and numbness or pelvic ache?

Actually, I'm getting TMJ pain from gritting my teeth whenever I read about
HPs who come up with this off-the-wall stuff and recommend depriving both
mother and baby/toddler of the nursing relationship unnecessarily without
evidence to support cause and intervention (effect)!!! So excuse me while I
take a break and do a relaxation exercise for my jaw--includes visual imagery
of strangling a HP who says such things.

Karen G

In a message dated 99-11-18 15:21:14 EST, you write:

<< Her MD has linked her many health problems to breastfeeding, so she is
weaning.  She gave her permission for me to get opinions from all of you.
When her son was about 7 or 8 months she had aching pain in her pelvis.
Since then, she has had bruises all over her body.  She has had periods of
tingling and numbness in her thumb, leg, neck and head.  A chiropractor
helped at times, but not recently.  Currently she has pelvic and neck pain.
Mother took Dad with her to the doctor because she doesn't hope to understand
what doctors say.  She beleves the doctor said that breastfeeding was harming
her cartilage. He also said her TMJ (jaw joint pain) was a common result of
breastfeeding.   >>

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