Susan and all,

Good questions.  Baby is not tongue-tied.  Palate is normal.  Suck is
normal when baby is getting milk.  Talked to mom today about herbs.  She
wasn't enthused.  Had a reaction to echinacea and isn't really "into"
herbs.  I do have Jack's info on breast compression.  I'll keep that in
mind.  I figure one or two suggestions a day, so as to keep her
interested but not overwhelm her.  She really didn't want to give
bottles.  Dad and grandma had been insisting baby wasn't getting enough
milk, and mom said she would give in about once a day when baby was
crying a lot.  Mom and baby both really just want to breast feed.  They
both enjoy it.  Mom is incredibly patient; she just finds it awkward.
Baby shows no signs of nipple confusion.  Mom is using a fat silicone
nipple (Munchkin).  I think baby would probably refuse the bottle if she
could get enough milk at breast, though I would still prefer to get the
baby off the bottle entirely if mom can learn to work with the SNS and
of course eventually get her supply back up so she can exclusively
breastfeed.  I told mom and dad it could take two months to get to
exclusive breastfeeding.  (I think the problem started at birth--may
take as long to fix as it took to develop) and I couldn't gurarantee
results.  They said they were willing to spend the time and money to
pump and supplement for two months if necessary.

Supplementer comes with paper tape.  That is the kind she was using.

Thanks again, Susan and all, for your suggestions.  It is so nice not to
feel alone.  I could call local consultants, but most don't want to be
called at 2 a.m.  I know at least one who might be up, but her family
probably wouldn't appreciate the phone ringing at that hour, to say
nothing of her inevitable thoughts, "Don't tell me I need to do a
consult now; I was just getting ready to go to bed.

Better stop rambling.
-
Bonnie Jones, RN, ICCE, IBCLC
who worked evenings and nights for too many years to realize that night
is when you are supposed to sleep and thinks 3-11 a.m. are good sleeping
hours.  Besides, at night I have free access to the computer.
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