Laura,
A quick comment on two of your points:
1) How I developed an understanding of "anterior spread" some years ago was 
after seeing babies whom others had said "couldn't be:" tongue-tied as they 
could "poke" their tongues - but only in a very narrow way with only the 
centre of the tongue, and only briefly. These babies invariably scored for 
tongue-tie because of restriction.  Seeing what *wasn't* "anterior spread" 
made me more aware of what is normal. If you observe the normal, the 
abnormal is easier to recognise.
2) Yes, it is sometimes tough feeling peristalsis and I don't like 
introducing a new suck object (finger) unless it is strictly necessary. 
Cathy Genna's post, just now, explains some of the finer points of doing 
this, and is useful. You'd probably sent your post just before hers was 
posted by Kathy Bruce, on her behalf.

Virginia
in Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Laura Spitzfaden wrote:
I am also having some trouble with the concept of "anterior spread." ....
Also, how do you feel peristalsis?  I must have the most unsensitive fingers 
in the world because I cannot feel this!  I have had other LCs suggest to 
not use a glove but I am not comfortable with that for the baby's sake. 
Does everyone else glove up or use finger cots? 

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