Hi everyone
Can you help me? I have a mum with a 7 week old baby who keeps regressing to
attempting to suckle with her bottom lip tucked in.I was called in when she
was 3 weeks old and not back to birth weight.Mums milk supply had dropped
but baby was sucking vigorously with bottom lip tucked under and cheeks
drawn in, in a very exagerated manner, probably depressing about 1cm with
each suck.
We corrected the latching, had mum double pumping to bring her milk supply
back. Baby put on lots of weight. We eased off the expressing and slowly
baby went back to tucking bottom lip under. She would initially latch well
then as feed progressed the bottom lip would tuck under and a small dimpling
would appear with suckling.Mother would take her off and reposition but it
has become a constant battle with feeding an on and off affair, not
enjoyable for either mother or daughter.
We tried feeding alternately with a bottle and large teat making sure the
lips were turned out and this worked well for a week, baby latched and
suckled very efficiently on the breast but she has again regressed.Is there
likely to be a physical problem?
Here in New Zealand I have nowhere I can refer her for assessment.
Mother is very committed but she is coping with unexpected single motherhood
and has a 3 year old as well. She would really like to sort the problem out.
THanks for your wisdom.
Robyn Dunning
RGON, RM, IBCLC