I am admitting here I have not always been sold on finger feeding,
thinking it wasn't much different from a bottle nippe,  but was open to
it as a new LC and have seen it work great on many occasions.  It seems
there is good control of the tongue placement, sucking can be rewarded
with a burst of milk from dropper or syringe, and the skin-to-skin
component is also a step toward the breast.
    A couple of months ago I had a case with a couple who needed their 2
month old daughter to take a bottle while mom was at work, dad would be
the primary caretaker.  They had "tried everything" and baby refused a
bottle.  I told them over the phone I can't work miracles but to bring in
all the feeding paraphernalia they had to a consult that afternoon.
Tried cup feeding - No Way, tried bottle - No Way, then tried finger
feeding....baby took it very well!   Then I withdrew my finger and dad
slipped his in, then he droppered in expressed milk, too.  Then after the
edge was taken off baby's hunger with an ounce of milk, she accepted the
bottle!   Then baby nursed from mom and completely relaxed, just loved
being near mom's body and at the breast.  I thought she may be a
difficult baby to watch separated from mama, so discussed some
back-to-work strategies such as could dad bring baby to the workplace
during lunch breaks for breastfeeding....a viable possibility for this
couple as the workplace was within 3 miles of home; also skin-to-skin
time with dad for afternoon naps, and working 4 ten hour days instead of
5 eight hour days.
     This couple asked me if the purpose of finger feeding was usually to
coax a baby onto the breast, and I answered, Yes, but this time we are
using it in reverse!  They laughed.   They also said they were so glad
they came in for the consult and gave a good report to the staff
pediatrician shortly after.

    Susan Potts  rn ibclc
    From rainy Minnesota
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