Maurenne, #1 prepare her to pump and protect the milk supply. Consider having some human milk from milk bank on hand in case infant needs early supplementation in addition to mother's own colostrum. These babies get lots of ear infections and human milk is critical and exclusive is always better. #2 know that exclusive direct breastfeeding with cleft of palate is not often realistic. Cleft of lip only is much easier to work with. With lip defect only position so breast or mom's finger can fill the defect. #3 Medela has a great little booklet "Give us a littel more time" or something like that with good pictures. Written by the Swiss who apparently use obturators much more than the US so may not be totally applicable if her cleft team is of the "obturators don't work" mentality. #4 Sara Danner also has good stuff on clefts. She has published a booklet and is speaking next week at the Clefts, Clips and Cups conference in New Mexico. Maybe tapes will be available??? #5 have a Haberman for supplementing on hand if it is a palate defect, they have been the only thing to allow comfortable feeding for the few babies I have worked with. They also look "normal" which is important for parents suffering from the emotional impact of a different looking infant - thanks to Barbara Clay for that excellant point made recently in Atlanta conference (I'm in midst of listening to the audiotape while driving now). BSC did this conference, maybe audio tapes are still available. Great tape so far ... #6 Feeding tube devices like SNS or jerry rigged immitations can also be used to supplement at the breast. #7 Finger feeding is also good (but "odd" looking in public or to already upset parents" #8 Jack's breast compression may also help #9 www.widesmiles.org has some breastfeeding information - go to main page then to feeding link Best Wishes, Carla