I have searched archives for posts on cleft lip, and am sorting through
those now.  Last night I received a call from the mom of a 2 mo boy with a
unilateral cleft lip.  He is nursing well.  Repair surgery is scheduled for
late Aug. at Vanderbilt (Nashville, TN).  Surgeon has told mom that she must
pump to provide milk for 2 wks. after surgery, and she wanted to rent a pump
now to begin storing milk.  She seemed surprised and encouraged by info in
BAB, and plans more conferences with dr. about bf shortly before surgery and
immediately afterward.  Interestingly, a (younger) local neonatologist had
recently told her that it's ok to bf right after lip repair, but she was
unsure of his info because the surgeon is older and more (?) experienced.
  Vandy surgeon wants to feed baby by bottle with a catheter inserted in the
end of the nipple (for 2 wks after surgery).  Has anyone heard of this?  And
why on earth would one expect less damage/pain to the repair with a bottle
nipple than with a soft breast???  When mom told surgeon that her son won't
take a bottle, he said they would cut the tip off the nipple and he wouldn't
have to "suck" on the bottle.  So let's deprive the poor baby of his source
of security and comfort, then feed him in a way for him to think he's
drowning!  AARRGGHH!  Sorry, I'm a little frustrated!
  I am giving mom references from BAB, and suggested she could do a little
homework to educate herself, and provide the articles to the surgeon; get a
second opinion if necessary.  BTW, I did mention the Haberman Feeder; mom
had not heard of it, but baby has not needed one, either.
  Does anyone have experience with & references to back up: 1) bf an infant
before and after surgery (how soon; I have BF Abstr. article)  2)  bf
following cleft lip repair?
TIA
Sara Reuning in Bristol, TN