Well lactnetters, I think I can finally say I know what you mean by a bubble
palate.  I just came from seeing a mother whose baby is 3 weeks of age, 12
lbs 6 oz at birth and is now 11 lbs.  She has successfully breastfed three
other children without problems.  Her nipples are great except for a large
open fissure on the tip of the right nipple that is extremely painful.  The
baby on suck exam had a deep high palate and his tongue was fairly far back
with a strong suck.  As baby nursed he chewed mostly and as you might guess
very little breast filling experienced by the mother.  She's very worried,
wants to continue breastfeeding.  I gave her an SNS that improved baby's
quality of suck immediatly.  She'll try warm saline soaks and bacitracin for
open crack and begin pumping to increase supply and rest the very badly sore
nipple but?

What can I suggest for the poor suck or palate problem?  Would positioning in
a upright football hold help?  I'm out in the boonies here and I've never had
an opportunity to see what people mean by a bubble palate, so what do you do
to help these mothers?

I'm incredibly behind in reading posts so would appreciate E Mail.

Linda Rosetti RN, IBCLC
Clarkston, Wa
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