My husband has his own amusing view of things, and feels the serenity and
self-sufficiency of  one-celled organisms supports his case for the
superiority of devolution.  Ever the optimist, I like to observe the
solutions animals and humans work out in an attempt to solve problems.  They
are often, of course, observed to be mis-guided, and I am willing to admit
that my speculations about alternatives to breast feeding (WHEN THE BABY
CAN'T NURSE) are only speculations in the absence of good clinical evidence
comparing cup to bottle, cup to finger, cup to feeding tube.

 However, I have to observe that the evolution of alternative feeding
devices has been to constantly try to get closer to a method that allows
baby to suckle AS AT the breast. Leather gloves with holes in the finger
tips, lead (!), blown glass, india rubber, latex and silicone teats all
replaced spoons and slotted cups as soon as people could figure out how to
make them.  I feel this is in some response to the fact that observation
tells us non-nursing babies need to suck.  Certainly we can all identify the
pup or kitten who was weaned too soon and drives us crazy sucking on
sweaters and ear lobes.  There is data which supports the improved weight
gain, state maintenance during stressful proceedures, etc. of premies given
soft, air-filled pacifiers to suck between or during gavage feeds, or
allowed to suckly mom's soft breast during same.  These babies are observed
to move to oral feeds more quickly and to demonstrate less potential for
aversion to oral stimuli.

I guess I am observing a different population of infants.  I have assisted
350-450 infants per yr for the past 10 in my clinic.  Most have not been
feeding or doing well or they wouldn't be there.  I admittedly don't see a
lot of normal babies.  But I have nursed my own and seen another 10 years
worth of normal infants as a Leader before starting priv. pract.  I think
most normal babies can handle cup and spoon feeds, and when I see a sleepy
kid who just needs a taste to wake up, that's what I do.  Or mom calls and
says the baby has been doing well (lots of stools etc) but now can't latch
due to engorgement, what should she do?  I say: express and spoon feed
overnight.  No big deal.  But to recommend therapy (long-term cup feeding)
in the absence of diagnosis (not my legal or ethical province) to a
compromised infant seems incautious. To recommend this without even
observing the infant seems dangerous.

Just my humble opinion, and expressed in deep appreciation for all the
diverse and stimulating thinking which makes this forum so interesting and
provocative.  I do think these discussions can be held without being
personally threatening, don't you all?

Still swinging from the vines down here in Texas :)
Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html