Heather -

I have seen the same thing.  Usually they will try for more than a day but
rarely long enough to really get going.  I wonder if breastfeeding is seen
as too risky if there are any problems at all.  The parents worked so hard
to get this very precious child if there is any risk of harming the child by
not giving it enough milk or making the baby work to hard by breastfeeding.
They will go with the option that they perceive to guarantee the baby will
do best.  In our culture bottles are seen as easier than breast and these
parents see formula as a healthy choice that will stress the baby less.

Linda Pohl, IBCLC
Phoenix AZ

-----Original Message-----
From:   Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Heather
Sent:   Wednesday, October 28, 1998 9:39 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        bf and infertility

I can't put any scientific or medical input into this, but I have noticed
that mothers/parents who have had to jump through hoops,  go through a lot
of cash (advanced and prolonged infertility treatment is by no means
automatically free in the UK), and all the blood, sweat and tears and
disappointments of it all, are rather *less* likely to breastfeed than
you'd expect for their age, education and economic status.