Denny,
 
Don't look at the syndrome, look at the baby! (I don't need to remind you of that but I often need to remind myself.) This mother and baby will have a unique blend of challenges, just like they all do. Focus on the lovely things first, then figure out the steps to breastfeeding. I have in my career had a very few babies who gave me that pit--of-the-stomach just went to my shoes- feeling: with those moms I talk about the continuum of feeding: at one end is all formula in a bottle, at the other end is all Moms Own at the breast. Very few babies do all Mom's Own at the breast (even though we lactnuts know it's best). Help her figure out where she and her baby are at the moment, and figure out the steps to get the baby closer to her goals.
 
Let us know how this goes! Remember all the things that help breastfeeding help self-regulation and good tone....
 
The Brattleboro Reformer on the front page just featured a lovely little gal showing her strawberry-stained hands on the front page. Her cheeks were those lovely breastfed cheeks, that "I am loved" look --- a tear came to my eyes, she fingerfed for three months while we worked on getting her oral tone good enough to feed at the breast. No tongue hanging out anymore! She breastfed for another two and a half years. A Downs syndrome breastfeeding triumph.
 
Dawn Kersula
in Brattleboro VT
 

 

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