Hi everyone,

First, I believe I'm not getting all my posts.  This is probably AOL again -
argh!

I need some help.  I saw a 5 day old, BW 8-9, D/C wt 8-0, now 8-2.2.  Mom
states the last 2 days baby nrsg 12xday.  She developed cracked nipples in the
hospital but was healing on disch.  Now the cracks are worse, 1 cm verticle
cracks bilaterally.  Mom had some definately positioning problems that we
worked with and then only had pain with latch, the rest of the nrsg was pain
free and when baby came off no new openings of the cracks.

On physical exam of the baby there is a slight short frenulum but baby can
extend tongue over the gum.  What was more remarkable was the high arched
palate.  When the baby was on his suck/swallow ratio was 5:1.  There was
slight improvement with alt. massage.

She is my first case that I'm using the Hydrogel drsg on.  She will work on
positioning, use alt. massage, and keep baby on first side till satisfied.

My questions: Are there any other approaches I could try, and what happens to
babies with high palates?  Do they grow into them?  Any help is appreciated.

Ann Perry RN IBCLC