Ann Marie, regarding your statements:  "Joseph has underdeveloped
(hypotonic) cheek muscles"  and  "Joseph has a tongue that bunches up in the
middle, which is part of the reason he has had such a shallow latch and
obviously why he pushes the nipple out instead of pulling it inward."

I am way behind in reading LACTNET and this may have been suggested by
others after you posted.  Has anyone checked to see if Joseph is tongue-tied
(TT)?  Everything you describe makes me think that is a strong possibility.
The therapists may not be trained to identify TT and therefore may not be
treating the basic problem.  The exercises cannot eliminate the cause of the
weak suck if it is TT.  OTOH, the exercises cannot hurt and are important
if/after the frenulum is clipped.

Was Joseph using any artificial nipples?  That could exacerbate the
problems.  As for:  "The therapist also thinks Joseph may have silent
reflux," I think reflux can be a catch diagnosis when the real problem is
the incorrect sucking and swallowing.  Once the breastfeeding is improved,
the "reflux" usually disappears.

Best wishes,

Lee Galasso, MS, LLLL, IBCLC, RLC

[log in to unmask]

"Children Are Born with the Right to Breastfeed"

 


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