Cathy,
Thanks so much for your really great post on this topic.
I just wanted to add my support for the idea that early reflexes associated
with suckling can be brought to the surface at a later date. I am certain
that that is what happened with my own daughter (who started breastfeeding
at 3.5) and I know other adoptive mothers who have similar experiences (they
often use the word primal when describing their child's motivation to
breastfeed). Creating the environment and opportunity is what it takes.
Karleen Gribble
Australia

> Mom can also try the "tough love" technique (my name for it) - put baby
> in just diaper on mom's bare chest, her reclining, him laying on his
> belly on her chest.  No one forces him to the breast but his reflexes
> often take over. Mom strokes baby, talks softly to baby, tries to keep
> baby's oxytocin level high.  If he gets really upset, cup feed him a
> tiny bit of milk and try again immediately.  If he falls asleep on mom's
> chest, let him stay there, and when he wakes up again, he is likely to
> latch.  This worked with 2 little girls who absolutely wanted nothing to
> do with the breast.  Each of them took it once or twice with a nipple
> shield, and then refused, and nothing else worked, though the reasons
> they initially had difficulty was resolved

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