jay and diane's posts were very timely for me.

my babysitter delivered a healthy, full term girl (8lb 10oz) at home with a
midwife, about a week ago.  everyone left her home some hours after birth and
baby had still not latched on well.  mommy did not worry as she is a doula,
post partum doula and childbirth educator, and she thought that BFing would be
a cinch.

mommy reported a fussy, reluctant feeder who did not pass stools for days and
only pee'd a few times a day.  pediatrician said "over-active let
down"...don't worry.

i finally saw baby at day 8.  skinny arms, big belly, hungry eyes, lethargic.
weighed 7-0.  very poor latch on.  cried at mom's breast and would not latch
in ANY position.  we started pumping (got a whopping 3 cc), and hooked up an
SNS.

many LCs and midwives and LLL leaders later, baby is finger feeding very well,
but still has a persistent tongue thrust.   mom's milk supply is increasing,
but baby will still not take the breast.  so, lactating friend comes over and
they switch babies.  mom nursed friend's baby and this boosted her confidence.
friend nursed infant and said she had a poor suck and would not latch on well.

mom is getting discouraged and is (sub)consciously delaying/dropping the "at
the breast" portion of our plan.  she's pumping, dad's finger feeding and
baby's gaining weight.  i'm afraid that the "baby at mom's breast" portion is
being dropped more and more as this couple tires and starts to bicker.

we've discussed the possibility of a neuro work up.  right now, the tongue
thrusting and reluctance to nurse is priority #1.  we've tried EVERY position
and even tried protocols for cleft palate babies in our attempts to get the
nipple far enough back so she can't thrust it out.  even thought about using a
Haberman nipple.  anyone heard of using one to "train" the tongue?  any other
ideas?  mom is ready to talk to her chiropractor about an adjustment for the
baby.


thanks for your collective knowledge on this matter.

lena camperlengo RNC, IBCLC
tallahassee fl