| Subject: |
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How can you tell? |
| Name: |
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concerned |
| Date Posted: |
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Jun 11, 08 - 10:36 PM |
| Email: |
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davidandcecile@yahoo.com |
| Message: |
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Can you help me out? When is it Munchausen, and when is it not?
When I first met this mother and child in a public place the baby was fussy (at 9 pm) and the mother repeatedly said, "I don't know what's wrong. I don't know what to do." She explained that the baby (then 15 months)had "gastrointestinal problems" and that the specialist was no help. She consulted a health food store employee who gave her helpful ideas about soothing or easy-to-digest foods. She said the baby had been a colicky baby. Said the baby threw up often. After listening, I suggested the best thing was to get her home in her familiar environment and get her settled and to bed. She made unusual comments like, "She might cry in when I put her in the car seat." That shouldn't matter.
Through time (5 months) I have not seen the mother feed this child (now 18 months)anything but avacado, soft boiled eggs, papaya, baby cereal with formula, formula in a bottle, cooked carrot slivers, baby Turkey dinner from a jar, occasional tiny chicken pieces, Cheerios, sweet potato, soy yogurt, and butternut squash. I have made numerous comments about the food choices to no avail, as she says the baby cannot have potatoes,green beans, bananas, apple sauce, apple pieces, any dairy foods. She does not let the baby feed herself. I respect her wanting to give her healthy foods, but I do not see substance in her diet. I kept the baby a couple of times. Not one problem noted. She threw up once after the mother had left and had cried hard. There was no discomfort seen in the child before or after the throw up incident. She was easily soothed and was fine. I woud like my concerns to be to no avail, but here are some interesting pieces:
Mother reports being neglected as a child. Says there was verbal abuse and sexual abuse from someone outside of the home.
Mother still is vehemently demonstrative about the continual conflicts she and her mother have.
Mother insists childhood was marked by dysfunction and the family is riddled with mental illness.
Mother has commented that there are many medical doctors in the family and that she has always been interested in the medical field.
Mother reports a bsck injury issue that keeps her in pain.
Mother receives medicaid or medicare for the child, and the mother is in financial distress.
Mother said the child had a fever a couple of days ago. No symptoms. I always ask details...teething?etc.
I saw the child today, and she stumbled around. A bit week acting.
PLEASE TELL ME I'M JUMPING to CONCLUSIONS! |
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