Hello & Happy New Year to all.

I am usually an upbeat, optimistic person, but the new year didn't start too
well. So I am here to vent to an understanding crowd.

I posted a situation a week ago about a mom with twins (3 wks today), one
good nurser, & one that occasionally latches on, sucks twice, then just lays
there.  (She then gets fed by grandma, with a bottle--at least it's EHM).
 Mom also has 16 mos old that she BF for 3 weeks and was a miserable
experience.  Mom is on the edge.  She knows quitting would be worse, but was
crying that she doesn't know how she will continue.  Says that when she quit
BF with older child, she had severe engorgement for 7 days, as well as
mastitis.  She also has an overabundant milk supply.  She BF's the good
nurser, and simultaneously pumps the other side--and is averaging 7-8 oz !!!
 Keeps good nurser on one breast per feeding, as her weight was just barely
OK at 2 wks (was fine a couple days ago since getting more hindmilk now). Oh,
and she also mentioned today that she was still on antibiotics for her
current plugged duct & mastitis (as I was telling her she may be more
succeptible!).  So at first we were discussing trying to decrease milk
supply--I was hoping to just keep her BF at least partly for the next few
days or week?  Then she tells me about the mastitis--how can I tell her to BF
less?  Aaaagggghhhh! :(
I tried to emphasize the positives, stroking her for all that she's been able
to do for both babies, and that even partial BF is beneficial, or could even
be temporary.  I keep telling myself that she wouldn't keep calling if she
didn't really want to make this work.  So, after talking to her, a Gerber (or
Carnation?) formula ad comes on TV :(   I called one of our WIC Peer
Counselors (I am the WIC Coordinator) that has exclusively BF, 8 mos old
twins (a homebirth).  I briefed her on the situation, and asked her to call
to give some support.  I hope she can help, I am feeling not so helpful.

So, to cheer myself up I downloaded & Lactnet to the rescue!  First I see
Penny's wonderful letter about BWG (I loaned her the book, told her to pass
it around so as not to buy more copies!). Then,  Karen Page's post from
yesterday had me LOL.  Just about ROTFLOL--I really needed it!  (Among some
other good stuff!).  Thanks for being out there--please keep posting the good
stuff, as well as the problems!

Sandy Arnold, IBCLC
Ever-so-thankful for Lactnet