Your description of the "arch" and possible "bubble" sound like what
Chele Marmet has termed a "bubble palate". Since becoming aware of this,
I find that a large number of mother/baby dyads with similar histories
include a baby with a bubble (high spot in palate) or high palate (the
whole thing is very deep!). Often the pain is caused by the fact that
baby pops the mom's nipple up into the bubble-- with resulting
pathological friction-- rather than drawing it back
all the way into the mouth. In validation, many of these babies often gag
easily on a finger sucked upon when an effort is made to get back to the
proper spot. Clicking is often common with this as well.

Positionally, placing baby above the breast often helps because they must
draw the breast up against gravity rather than relying on gravity to keep
it in place. My favorite is to have the mother lie down supine, then
place the baby prone on her before L-O. Once at breast, the baby usually
rolls slightly to one side, and both can be quite comfortable with good
support. The greatest obstacles are infant resistance to change, which is
more common with older babies.

Interventionally, Chele teaches the use of suck training to help the baby
desensitize at the back of the mouth. I realize that this is considered
controversial, but I have seen it work, and I don't see a lot of better
answers out there.

I think that your assessment is correct. It usually helps the mom
tremendously to be told that she isn't at fault, that she isn't doing
something wrong, but that baby is doing something aberrant. The fix can
be laborious sometimes, but when they know it's the baby, many mothers
rise to the occasion in relief to being let off the "guilt" hook. I'll be
interested in knowing what you decide and how it goes.

-Lisa

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Lisa A. Marasco, IBCLC                                /  [log in to unmask]
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant    /  [log in to unmask]

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