>Dear Lactnet friends, I am a 35 year old first time mom with a problem.
My baby boy, Jack, is 8 weeks old today and is unable to successfully breast
feed.
At todays exam, My pediatrician insisted the reason he will not successfully
latch on and suck is because of micrognathia (recessed jaw).

The baby was full term, vaginal delivery--23 hours of labor before given
epidural, baby born 5 hours later. apgar 9/9. Was put to breast within 5
min. He roomed in with us 24 hours.
I spent 4 days in hospital in order to work with two lactation consultants
on staff. Had 5 sessions, achieved no latch-on. was engorged 55 hours after
birth and then was given electric pump. I continue to pump but supply is low
(thats another story)

I have tried just about everything--syringe at breast, playtex nurser,
finger feeding, sns...I have tried football, prone position--even
walking...and have achieved occasional latch on with brief sucking-- about 6
times in 8 wks.

I have had the strength to keep trying because of four wonderful people, my
new private practising lc, alison hazelbaker...Lactnet e-mail pals, sarah
barnett and Jay simpson and a supportive husband.  I want to publically
thank them for their support and advice.
Lactnet has been immensely valuable in connecting me to folks who feel as
passionately about breast milk as I do.
The outside world is a cold place for a mother who wants to breastfeed but
encounters problems/challenges.

At 8 weeks it was a real blow to have my ped tell me to stop frustrating
myself and the baby, to just give the bottle and "maybe" he will latch at 6
months and "maybe" my milk will not have dried up by then. 8-(

So I bring my story to lactnet.

Baby Jack is alert and personable. Cries less than 1 hour a day. was apgar 9/9.

My next step is a more concentrated, focused effort to offer breast each
feed and to observe what happens. Moving toward a 24 hour to 1 week effort
at cup feeding in hopes of getting him to really want to suck at the breast.

What do you know of micrognathia? of overcoming it? of misdiagnosising it?
I wonder would anyone agree with my ped that its hopeless til he grows out
of it?

Baby jack calls--thanks all!
Its nice to come out of the woodwork,
jody frisby