I know that there are people with more experience than I have with this, but
I had a very similar case a few weeks ago and wanted to share my strategies.
-Of course, your suggestion to avoid artificial nipples was important.
-I did a little stimulation of the babies gums, just the front of the lower
gums, gently rolling his lip out.
-When he allowed my finger into his mouth, I let him suck for a few minutes
and as soon as he began to pull that little lip in, I used gentle pressure
down with my finger to encourage him to suck while keeping his lip flanged.
After a couple of minutes we put him to breast.  Mom used a cross cradle
hold, and kept her hand almost in a dancer hand position so that if he
pulled in his lip she could use her index finger to pull gently on his
chin/lip to get him to release it.
This worked really well and last time we spoke she was doing much better,
supply up and soreness somewhat better.
Thanks Catherine Watson Genna-It was worth driving through the blizzard to
hear you  speak.  I learned so much from you!  (Care to comment on this case?)
Barbara Leshin-Zucker, IBCLC
Highland Mills, NY
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