I just had a baby with this  problem-sleepy at first. Tried a little finger
feeding-esp. to assess tongue action. Baby would keep tongue behind lower gum
& suck really hard!! I tried a little cup feeding & baby started bringing out
tongue but still no latch. Then we tried the feeding tube attached to breast-
baby was licking milk off but still no latch. Finally, at about 44 hrs of age,
without any assistance from nursing staff, baby latched on & nursed well for
25 minutes. A couple of hours later, baby nursed well again! This was a very
motivated mother who's mom is a pediatric nurse & breastfed all her children.
So she also had very good support from family.

I was very proud of our nursing staff because none suggested that she should
bottle feed. They were all very supportive, informed mom of choices & allowed
her to make the decision. I was very encouraged, this is the first time, that
I can remember, that the staff was so supportive & encouraging and actually
refrained from giving baby a bottle.

Keep up your good work!

Laura Hart, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Staff nurse & lactation consultant at hospital delivering approx 150/month.