Teresa is so right about waiting long enough.  I tell the moms whose
dysfunctionally feeding babies can't do zilch that if we just protect the
baby's growth, protect the milk supply, and keep practicing at the breast
while doing whatever else we need to do, the baby will eventually
breastfeed.  I just heard yesterday from a mom who I saw almost exactly a
year ago with a premature baby.  The baby had hypospadias (the most severe
case I'd ever seen -- the urethral opening was at the base of the penis at
the scrotum).  Since I knew he was facing surgery and wanted that lower
renal solute load of human milk vs formula, I told the mom how impt. it
would be for him to nurse.  She was terrified about both his small size and
the hypospadias.  He was not able to do anything at breast for about 5
weeks.  She stuck to the plan to protect the milk supply, and used her own
milk to feed him until he was physiologically mature enough to get it from
her breasts without assistance.  We went from bottle feeds to shield to
weaning off the shield, with lots of pumping and lots of practice nursing.
Baby started bfg slowly, built strength, and then went happily onward.  The
recent repair surgery went well and he is still breastfeeding.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com

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