At 10:05 AM 2/26/98 -0800, you wrote:
>Ok this might be a really weird question but can people who can't curl
>their tongues breastfeed?  ... it got me thinking about the babies that
just don't
>seem to be able to maintain suction and don't feed well.  Should we be
>asking mom and dad if they can curl their tongues?

There is a lactation consultant here who tells moms whose babies are having
trouble breastfeeding that if their babies can't curl their tongues, they
will not be able to breastfeed. I have seen numerous babies prove her
wrong. She has probably discouraged a lot of mothers from continuing to
try, however.

A baby can possibly cup the breast better if she can curl her tongue, but,
in my opinion, it certainly isn't necessary--not to the extent that we are
talking about.

I would not encourage the asking of family history of tongue curling
because it could add to a mom's doubt about her being able to breastfeed.
It would be interesting, however, to ask women who are successfully
breastfeeding a 5 month old if they or their spouses can curl the tongue.
If *all* of the babies who are doing fine breastfeeding have parents who
can curl their tongues, then perhaps more questioning could be done, such
as asking mothers of babies who could never learn to breastfeed. I would be
surprised if it is a deciding factor.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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