The breast bud post was just a warm up.  The real reason for posting is as
follows:

I am a new La Leche League Leader. Other leaders and Lactation Consultants
and Physicians have been contacted regarding this matter but everyone is
stumped, but then no one has asked Lactnet yet.  We'll see.

Mother gave birth to second child at 38-39 weeks. Had severe pain when
feeding her now 3 year old.  Pumped for awhile but gave up after a few weeks.
 Is having severe nipple pain with now 5 week old.  She tried nursing at the
hospital but the pain was terrible.  The LC followed up and did latch pain
free once or twice but mom has not been able do this. The baby was given
formula because of weight loss but that same night was in the hospital
because he stopped breathing..  Mom is now pumping and bottle feeding 24 or
so ounces a day.  She tries latching twice a day and feels he gets some milk
but can't stand the pain.  One LC weighed the baby after an hour of painful
feeding and said he only took 6/10 oz.  The pediatrician was convinced there
was something wrong with the mother's breast so referred her to a ob/gyn.
Mom was fine.  Ped wants baby on bm only because of the breathing problmens
but will not give insurance referral for baby suck assessment (there is a
local provider that does these). He feels that pumping and bottle feeding is
fine.  Mom could pay for assessment herself with no insurance help.  Ped
thinks baby has some sort of reflux. He's not sure. Baby is gaining now,
about 3 lbs. since lowest weight.(baby is now 8 lbs or so).  Baby is using
the avent nipple for new born.  The nipple shield did not work.  Several
nurses and the LC's seem to think it is a suck problem not a mom problem.  No
one has suggested Yeast because pain seems to be only nipple area.  The
baby's suck turns mom's nipple white.  Mother is large breasted but she has
been told her nipples and areola seem normal.

I have not personally seen this woman.  I told her to get a second medical
opion in hopes of getting a suck assessment paid for.  Also, to get in touch
with the LC that got the baby latched pain free (this LC has a great
reputation but I think the mom has seen so many people and gets told so many
things that she just didn't think of contacting the person again.) I've tried
to  (and will continue to try) find Jack Newman's sight for a description of
the breast compression. Some how the address I have is incorrect.  Must
search again.

The woman is about to give up.  She thinks maybe it's too late. But thought
she'd put in one last call. Her feeling is that everyone is just looking at
her with wonder, like her situation is hopeless.  Meanwhile, mom continues to
pump and put baby to breast several times each day.  Baby is still interested
in breast and really enjoys it even if he isn't sucking all that well.  Mom
just can't stand the pain. I'm sure the LC's are doing a great job, but maybe
I could sugest the name of a technique to try that no one has thought of or
maybe the baby is displaying a suck problem that is rare.  They have checked
for tongue tie.  The baby will suck then push out nipple or just suck on the
tip. She has a SNS but has been unable to get it to work.  Oh, also no nipple
injuries or surgery in her past.  I must also mention that she has tried some
finger in mouth exercises but couldn't adequately describe them and didn't
know how many times a day to do them.  She has also worked on the chin
position, but again seemed unsure exactly what to do. So I didn't overwhelm
the mom, I thought I would go over the finger walking exercises described in
the BF Answer Book during a follow up call.  Getting these details took some
time.

Anyway, if you can think of anything that might help, let me know.  Mother
has given permission to post. Sometimes it seems that someone needs to stay
with the mom and a day or two to make sure it's working but no one wants to
pay for it.  It could be that this mom just can't (won't) follow all of the
instructions given to her to correct the suck.  I wish I knew her better but
didn't want to wait to post in case there was some suggestion. Obviously, the
use of a bottle for this lengtb of time is a major factor.

Louanne McGhee,LLLL

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