Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions on the baby who has a
strong neck and arched.

The baby definately does not have a bubble palate-or even a particularly
high palate.   Mother said that the birth was not complicated, no meds, no
forcepes.  Also, mom does *not* have a forceful let down.  There is no rash
on the baby's face either.

  This mother seems to have a high threshold of pain, so I am wondering if
the baby was a face presentation and mom just percieved it as "normal"?
Mom says that baby wasn't suctioned, but I have had other moms tell me that
only to have birth attendant -or father say that the baby *was* suctioned
when mom wasn't looking.  The baby's head was very round and not molded at
all, but she was 9 days old when I saw her.

Positioning is a concern.  Mom was using a scissors hold with her fingers
compressing the areola.  I observed that the baby couldn't get a deep enough
latch because the moms fingers were in the way.  I also wonder if this
highly sensative baby was upset by the feeling of those fingers near her face?

Mom said that breastfeeding hurt from the start.  In hospital the nurses
would shape mom's breast, pop the baby on and then leave.  Mom and baby were
in the hospital for 5 days- common here for a normal birth  So mom never
"learned" how to do it herself. She did get the idea for using the sciccors
hold from the way the nurses got the baby on.

I am hoping that better poitioning, and carrying the baby in a sling instead
of using a pram for comforting will help.   Any other thoughts?  I'll try to
keep all of you posted on this case and how it turns out.   Thanks again!

Nancy Sherwood IBCLC, LLLL- Perth, Australia