Laurie, "your" baby sounds like the little guy that I wrote about last, who
had the "urgent" hearing test with accompanying pacifier.

The little guy overcame that assault somewhat and, for one day, was feeding
better, but with some difficulty with initial latch. Then, at day 5 he went
in for a cast on his club foot.  With that, he lost his latch ability again.

Here is some of his challenges in his first 5 days of life, not even
listing the *usual* painful tests and "blood letting":

1) Heavily drugged during delivery

Had one pretty-good feed on day 2

2) Had hearing test...pacifier

No breastfeeding

3) Circumcision

4) Regained some feeding skill

5) Had cast applied

6) Lost latch-on ability

After 2 days of LC on call at every feeding, it was clear that he wasn't
latching well because he couldn't, and it wasn't simple nipple confusion.
When we would get him latched on, he fed very well--could have been in the
films.

I noticed that with that heavy cast on one leg, his lower body was quite
"off."  He was also continuing to prefer to turn his head only in one
direction.  The parents had had a good experience with a chiropractor who
also works with babies and children.

He worked with the baby, and after one more challenging latch episode, he
was set.  He latches easily and effectively.  The doctor found that his
pelvis was rotated and his neck was constricted on one side. (BTW, it was a
very gentle work.  Baby slept through the entire session.)

I think that some kind of body work is most helpful in these puzzling cases
of inability to feed.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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