Mandy is concerned about a baby with persistent nasal congestion who resists
going to breast.  While you may be right that the problem is resulting from
cows milk allergy, there is another possibility.  If baby has reflux or poor
respiratory control for some other reason, he/she may be aspirating milk up
into the nasal passages.  This debris blocks the nose and makes baby sound
congested even tho there is no evidence of a cold.  If a baby has a blocked
nose and you try to fill the mouth up with a breast (esp. if you try to hold
baby in very close and firmly hold head in) baby will be frantic trying to
push away to grab some breath.  Babies are NOT obligate nose breathers.
They breathe thru their mouths if their noses are blocked.  Bottle feeding
can support mouth breathing because the baby flares the lips and breathes in
thru the corners of the mouth, and because there is no breast to block the
nose.

Here's what I would try:  Get some baby-strength saline nose drops and try
to clear out some of the nasal debris.  Chose breastfeeding positions which
don't block the nose or make the baby afraid that you are going to hold the
head. Use a small size nipple shield with milk dripped on it to bridge baby
to breast with a familiar sensation. If the baby pulls away, let him.
Patiently repeat the process at every feed to build trust by gentle
repitition. Allow baby to set the cues.  If babies can have some sense that
the control of the feeding is in their hands, this often restores trust when
aversion exists.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas
http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html