This is a few posts back, but it is timely for me.  It seems obvious to me
that any alternative feeding method has drawbacks, but that they all can have
their place in certain situations.   No need to promote or put down any one
method for all occasions.

     I have also seen babies get hooked on fingerfeeding.  Also that it tends
to become overwhelming for parents if it is needed long-term.  However, used
judiciously, it can be very useful.

     A few days ago I did a consultation with a mother whose 3-day old was not
latching on and had gone from 9-2 to 8-2.  On the advice of their doctor, they
were feeding with a dropper.  Mom was very engorged and had wide, short
nipples.  The baby rooted and attempted to latch, but had a very receding
chin and held his tongue back, so that when he tried to suck at the breast, he
ended up sucking on his tongue.  This was her second baby and she was very
experienced and competent.  She managed alternative postions easily and
comfortably and was very receptive to suggestions.  When I suggested and
showed her how to syringe-feed on her finger, she herself realized without my
telling her that this was a way of training the baby's suck.  It was
understood that this was a temporary tool while pumping and trying the baby at
breast.  Two days later, baby was latching on, staying on, gulping at breast
and had gained 5 oz!  She felt the finger-feeding and cabbage leaves for
engorgement had both been most helpful.  For this mom and baby, fingerfeeding
worked great.  In another situation with a different mom and baby, I might not
have used it.   Miriam