Dear Ellen:
I hope someone comes through with the information you need -- my comment
is more procedural than medical.  Since the mother doesn't know the name
of the illness,  is there anything preventing you, with the mother's
permission, from consulting directly with this doctor about the
specifics of the problems -- or at least the right name so you can do
your research!

In that consultation, (after complimenting the care that helped this
tiny baby survive), you can  note how motivated the mother is to
breastfeed, and that for most ill babies, that would be preferable --
what are the specific reasons for the required artificial feeds? (It
seems that if it were a delicate metabolic illness it would be a more
specialized formula.) Perhaps he/she is more concerned about precisely
measuring the intake, or just doubtful of the mother's supply after the
long hospitalization.  In that case, would pre- and post-weighings
suffice?  Or careful monitoring of weight gain while slowly weaning off
the formula?

This seems like a situation where the lactation consultant has to be
part of the professional team, so you don't have to wonder what this
doctor is trying to accomplish, and this mother, who's already been
through so much, doesn't have to sort through conflicting information.

Margaret Wills
LLLL

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