Kathy,
I have seen several babies who have had latch-on problems after being
suctioned.  We know that babies are very alert at birth and that this is a
good time to breastfeed because they are "imprinting", so if the first thing
that happens to them is a painful procedure to their most sensitive and aware
area, they may decide that they don't want anything put in their mouth. I
think it helps moms to understand this and then to be very gentle with these
babies and try to reawaken the baby's natural instincts. I would like to hear
a discussion from some of our doctors and nurses about how necessary all this
suctioning is. The home birth babies I have seen are a little congested in
the first couple days but they nurse and spit it up and do fine. Marilee
Woodworth IBCLC.