In a message dated 8/23/2005 9:07:15 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: While reading "The Bi-Polar Child" book, I noticed that the authors equate fussy, irritable babies with children who turn out to be bi-polar (manic depressive). I found this a very interesting link. How many babies do we see that are just "not right with the world"? Or even toddlers and young children. Hello friends....I haven't written in some time...been busy working on breastfeeding stuff off list so my time has been quite stretched... Anyway, wanted to jump in here. This is purely anecdotal, but my now 7 yr old son has finally been diagnosed as bipolar. He was a 39 weeker, 9 lb 2oz. Unmedicated vag delivery. He was breast fed exclusively for 4 mos, and supplemented but still breast fed also up to 6 mos. He was always a "difficult" baby. He nursed almost constantly and was very fussy...very, well for lack of no other word, difficult. He wasn't "colicky" and my milk supply was not the issue. I took it that he was just a "big boy" and wanted to eat all the time. Well eating wasn't all he wanted, he NEEDED to be held almost constantly, however, he REFUSED to sleep in bed with us...wanted to be in his crib..I know that sounds like a contradiction, but it is true..at night wanted to be in his bed...during the day, wanted to be held. As he grew older, he was very "out of control" No amount of discipline, no amount of anything worked for him. Finally, fearing he may have some autism issues, I had him evaluated at the M.I.N.D. Institute at the UC Davis. There he was diagnosed as autism free (thankfully) however had the most severe ADHD possible, and sensory integration dysfunction. Found that he needed more stimulation than most kids (explained why he was constantly spinning in circles and never getting dizzy). He was medicated for the ADHD issues and things were better for a time, however as he got older he got more violent. (You should see the holes in his bedroom walls) Finally at the end of his first grade year last year, the school placed him in a reform school type situation because he was dangerous to himself and to others. Over the summer we FINALLY got him in to see a psychiatrist (that was something else) and fortunately she has some background in child hood bipolar. Chad is a classic case. He has been started on Risperdal 0.25 mg BID, and we have been working with his rages, and I am proud to say he has totally turned around. He has been in school a week and 1/2 now without one single episode of rage, and you can make that over a month for a rage here at home. Please pray for us that it stays that way. Looking back I can see that this has always been an issue for him, from day one. He showed signs as an infant, we just didn't know what we were looking for. After doing much research, I have found that this is common. Many parents of children with the same diagnosis can trace the symptoms back to infancy. I believe (and this is just gospel according to Renee) that these children are born with a lack of/ or a disorder of some chemical in their brains. I doubt seriously that it just "happens" later in life, The key is to replace or work on this chemical to bring it to a normal level and they can be the most endearing children. Chad acts very much like a "normal" 7 year old now. I don't believe I am "drugging" him to gain control, although I am accused of that daily. I believe he NEEDS these medications and that without them, he would eventually do something that would hurt himself or others. When I have been criticized about the medications, I offer people to take him and fix him some other way...funny, no takers as of yet. I am glad of one thing...he received my milk. I believe that it probably would have been worse as an infant if my body wasn't providing what he needed. I weaned him early because of ignorance more than anything. Had I known then what I know now, I can't help but wonder if he may not have been as severe....ah well I will never know. Anyway there is an answer from someone in the trenches. BTW I recommend The Bipolar Child as required reading for anyone dealing with children on an everyday basis...I am impressed that you have read it. Renee Drake RN CLC I make milk....What's YOUR superpower??? *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html