I'd love to hear some other LC's weigh in with opinions on
syringe-only feeding (no finger in mouth).  We would not teach it to
mom's (no teaching of cupfeeding to parents,  either, around here
unless rather progressive peds are involved--tho
our nurses are master cupfeeders)  altho I occasionally use it as a
very last resort (other than gavaging) for a baby who can't tolerate
anything in his mouth (sometimes not even the fluid, unfortunately).  My
basic concern with syringe-only feeds is that they don't allow the
infant much control over pacing his feeds.  I also wonder if they
help correct any sucking difficulties (such as helping bring a
reluctant tongue forward, as cupfeeding does).  Anybody with more
experience with such feeds care to comment?  Pros? Cons?
Terry

Terry Dalton Hadley, RNC, IBCLC
Towson, MD