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Date: | Thu, 20 Feb 1997 13:22:45 -0600 |
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>Does anyone have anecdotal information about a baby with a cleft PALATE
>(with or without cleft lip) who was able to breatfeed exclusively? That
>is, without any devices (eg SNS) and without any type of supplementation,
>but feeding exclusively at the breast and having appropriate weight gain.
>Also, what were the factors that made this possible - on the mother's side
>(eg: nipple shape, type of let-down, etc.) and baby's side (eg: anatomy,
>etc). Thanks in advance.
When I was in Mali in 1981-83, there was one youngster, about 6 or 7 years
old, who had a bilateral complete cleft of the lip and palate. He talked
kinda funny, but that was all -- otherwise he was fine. He had been
breastfed for two years, just like all the other Malian children. No
special medical care or advice or devices were used. I would say the main
factor that "made this possible" is that everyone just assumed the baby
would nurse. No one ever suggested that he wouldn't be able to.
Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
Texas A&M University
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