I am new to Lactnet and this is my first post. I am a LLLL and an aspiring LC (sitting for the exam this summer), so I am still growing in my understanding of complicated situations. I have permission to post the following story. I have been following a mother from afar (I know the mother in law), and now more closely, who has been successfully breastfeeding her now 17 month old girl, who developed polycystic kidney disease sometime last summer (so she's been sick 9 months or so). She has been doing rather well, eating fairly well on a restricted diet, loving breastfeeding and gaining slowly. However, last month little girl started losing weight. Specialist is very supportive of breastfeeding as well as nutritionist, but now it seems they want mom to start pumping exclusively, quantify the breastmilk, mix it with polycose (increasing the calorie content?), and then give to toddler - who doesn't like it given in any way other than at the breast. Mom has tried pumping (hasn't pumped hardly at all being at home with daughter), can't get much, thinks she's really not producing much, leaves the clinic each time feeling like a failure and that she's starving her child at the breast. I have put her in touch with the LC at that hospital, who will be a good resource for her, but has anyone encountered this type of situation? My local LCs haven't and suggested I post here. I believe the specialist and nutritionist are well intentioned (wanting to measure everything going into toddler, including the breastmilk, and upping the calories as much as possible), but I don't think they have a clue that suddenly making her pump is really going to alter her supply - when little girl is blissful at the breast! They have another appointment the 2nd of May, and they said that if toddler hasn't gained any weight, they will give her an NG tube. Any wise suggestions or insights? 



Linda Kopecky, MPH and LLLL in Winona, MN  
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