Hi everyone,
    recently in the Maternity Unit where I work, we have had an influx of
"tongue sucking babies" being born.
These babies have a poor gape, and when put near the breast, they latch onto
their tongue and 'go for it'. I have just been on Night Duty, particularly
frustrated by 2 such babies last night.

Our background: we have approx. 1400 babies/year. Our mothers and babies are
NEVER separated, unless baby is ill and needs to be in the Special Care
Nursery.
We do not do blood sugar levels etc. on normal newborns, they are bathed
whenever (no set rules), usually the next day, depending on the babies
temperature, family preferences etc.
We have bedrails on all our beds, for co-sleeping, so often on rounds, you
will find most cots empty- we find it is the best way to settle upset
babies.
Babies are NEVER given artificial feeds or dummies (pacifiers), unless the
mother requests it, then we counsel her first.

So my dilemma is how to facilitate attachment in a healthy newborn, who is
obviously looking for a feed, but has obviously had a great time in utero
drinking the liquor.
Often, we are physically attaching these babies the first time, after the
mother has had no success, and last night I spent around 2 hours on and off
trying to attach a willing baby! (Before everyone gets upset about mum not
doing it, she was a very tired primigravida, who was exhausted, 2-5 am, and
had also had a significant post partum haemorrhage! But still wanted to
breast feed her baby!) I would wait until she was actively seeking, then
try. Afterwards, she was left snuggled up to her mum's bare body until next
time. At no time did she become upset.
I tried the usual encouraging exercises to promote gape, sucking on my
finger - she also moved her tongue back and forth under my finger and had a
some minor tongue thrust. What next??
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated, as these babies are looking to
feed, just can't get it together enough!
Many thanks
Susan  [log in to unmask]