Obligatory nose breathing means that is the preferred, most efficient and
most usual way a baby breathes.  Every example given so far illustrates
that if a baby can't follow the normal path (nose breathing) they are IN
TROUBLE and something needs to  happen to make things right - whether it is
tricky surgery for a tumor or aspirating mucus or suck, swallow, gasp a
breath and then repeat - suck, swallow, gasp.  The baby has to adapt to
what is going on, s/he must breathe, eating is nice too, but breathing is
supreme.

On the other hand, ROUTINE, vigorous and/or rough  suctioning that causes
early oral aversion is plainly wrong.  And if it is standard operating
procedure at your facility it needs to  be rethought.  Anything that is
routine (because we always have done it etc.) needs to be examined in a
fresh light periodically.  (Like shaving perineums, giving enemas
pre-delivery, removing everyone's tonsils and so on).

IMHO :-) Pat in SNJ