I saw a mom today at my hospital about 30  hours post partum with very
pink chapped nipples especially on the left.  She successfully breastfed her
first child whom she described as having a weak suck and had help from LLL in
the past.  I did not get to see her latch the baby on.  He had just fed and
was sound asleep but I did a suck assessment with my finger in his mouth
because Mom said he had a very strong suck (not a biter).  The baby has an
uneven palate with a higher arch on the right and a lower flatter arch on the
left.  During ultrasounds Mom was told that he almost had a cleft palate but
that it repaired itself in utero.  You can see a slightly thicker line
verticle to the upper lip and slightly off midline.  Sorry I can't remember
the name for that part of the face.  The left nipple looks a little chewed on
the top lateral side at about 0100.  I think the basic problem is not enough
breast in the mouth, nipples are wide but sl. flat and Mom was using the V-
hold.  She also told me that the more reddened area at 0100 also gets a white
band across it after nursing but the color returns quickly after she breaks
the latch.
     My question is: how much is the uneven palate affecting her?  If we get
the baby latched on further back on the areola will this solve the problem
like it would for a baby with a normal palate?  The baby hates the football
hold.  She has been using the cradle hold and the side lying position mostly.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?

     Thanks,

      Cindy N.