I have searched the archives and read every single hit that had "high palate"
"white stripe on nipple" in the post...so, if you have already posted
something previously, I have already read that. (<G>)  I am looking to see if
there is a new "miracle" fix that just has not been mentioned.

Mom has baby who is 8 weeks now, born at 36 weeks.  Bottles in NICU mostly,
then nipple shield.  Baby on nipple shield until 6 weeks. Has seen three
LC's.  After seeing two LCs pumped, got supply up and was nursing well with
shield and no pain...but wanted to nurse without the shield...inconvenient in
public settings etc.  Saw 3rd LC who helped her get weaned from nipple
shield.  Totally on breast now and weight gain/ diapers etc. all fine.
Problem is nipple pain.  One LC told her yeast....so she is treating for that
appropriately. (Although I am not sure yeast is the issue.)  However, when
watching her nurse, the latch looked good...until baby comes off and the
horizontal white stripe with compressed nipple is visible.  When she showed
stripe to LC#3 she was not concerned... and said the high palate was not an
issue either. (I disagree with that, but I respect this LC so usually end up
doubting myself when I see something different.)  So here she is now, three
LC's, hundreds of dollars later, nursing with pain at each feeding and
wondering if there is anything else she can try.

For the record, I know the LC's she has seen...first one helped her to get
baby on breast at all with the shield, second one rented her the pump, tried
to get baby to nurse without shield, but was unsuccessful.  Third was
recommended to her by friends and she was hoping something new would be
offered.  I respect all of these women and their abilities...this could be
one of those times there is no "fix".  But,  I still think there are many
"tricks" and what one does not know or use, someone else may swear by.

From everything I have read in archives, this combination is a bit odd, and
there is not a weight issue at all.  We are working on being sure the baby
does not have a shallow latch...from being accustomed to having the shield
pushed in mouth as opposed to "latched on" with the shield ....  (This is
mom's description, since was off the shield when I saw her.)  This baby is
very cooperative, but does tend to want to slip down to familiar place on the
breast.  She already is using assymetrical latch though she feels very
awkward with the whole procedure of position, latch, and in my opinion this
is mostly related to the fear of the upcoming pain.  She tenses and cannot
relax just knowing what is about to happen.

My question:  Is there something else we can look for?  Is there some new
"magic cure" that is not in the archives?  I have seen my share of high
palates, but usually have the nipple tip with the pain, not the compression.
Also, more often there is the slow weight gain too, not being seen here. So,
to the collective minds....is there a "trick" or "fix" or even "science
research based solution" that is not already in the archives? Sure wish
Lactnet came with "conference video stream live." <smile>

Thanks,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco,  IBCLC

PS I would like permission to share your answer with the mom, so she knows
where it came from.   Thank you.

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