To Ruth Wilson, > re. HELLP. " more reasons THEY will discourage breastfeeding." < Who is THEY? I have worked L&D for 15 years and the key factors in HELLP syndrome is to treat early elevating severe complications. The earlier the disease starts in a pregnancy usually indicates a severe case. I have worked with mom's who had HELLP and were able to breastfeed. In fact I don't know what a contraindication would be to prevent nursing. The staff will need to anticipate that there will possibly be separation of mom and baby. Cup feeding as a way of supplementing would be preferable and helping the mom pump to add stimulation to her breast. There is potential for the mature milk to be delayed coming in. I can't say I've seen a rise in these cases more likely that the medical prof. is making better diagnosis . Please encourage L&D staff and postpartum staff to help these moms breastfeed.