I wrote a week ago about a baby who was sent home from the hospital
finger-feeding.  When I saw her she had not taken the breast in 4 days and I
asked whether you all would recommend trying a nipple shield.  The consensus
was - try it.
Well I'm pleased to report that after some initial reluctance on the baby's
part we did get her to latch on and she nursed at the breast with the nipple
shield and the sns tube through a hole in the shield.  Baby had been
jaundiced, very sleepy and was losing weight, so I had mom pumping and
supplementing with ebm at the breast every two hours.  I had her really
working on feeding the baby.  VNA nurse had said "Let baby sleep.  She'll
wake up and nurse when she gets hungry." !!! :-/
Baby had two week check-up yesterday and is now gaining, though she's still
about half a pound under birth weight.  Baby is also now more awake and
alert.  Mom hates using the pump and sns, so we're going to discontinue use
of sns and have another weight check on Friday.
Ped told mom baby will get plenty of milk through the sheild.  I'm doubtful.
 I'm concerned because mom has flat nipples and her nipples certainly do not
fill the nipple portion of the shield.  Baby is still not opening her mouth
and is nursing on the nipple.  I doubt baby is going to get much this way.
Any suggestions on getting this baby to open wider?  I've tried all the usual
stuff.  She just keeps her mouth small and never opens wide at all during
rooting or nursing.  And how do we get her to take the breast without the
sheild?  Mom has big breasts and flat nipples and baby just isn't interested
in taking all that in her mouth.  Mom makes a nipple sandwich, but it's still
too big for the baby's liking.  Has anybody had success using an sns on the
knuckle to get baby's mouth open wider?  I'd be greatful for any suggestions.
TIA
Cynthia D. Payne