Hello,
I have been helping a mom on the phone with a perplexing problem.  Baby is 3
wks old, term, 9lbs 8oz, 4th baby, other three bf, long labor with pit and
epidural. Baby was deeply suctioned because of meconium staining.  Just spent
5 days in the hospital with 3lb weight loss and electrolyte imbalance, but
home now.  He did not feed well from the beginning, never drew the nipple
completely into the mouth, but sort of chews, with light sucking on the tip.
Mom reports nipples and areola on the largish side, but baby's mouth is also
large enough to accommodate them. One nipple is cracked and has had a bout
with mastitis on that side. Baby is now sucking on a standard bottle nipple,
but has a very sensitive gag reflex when the nipple is inserted very far.  I
am wondering if this could be the explanation for the refusal to draw her
nipple deeply into his mouth?  I have seen other babies with sensitive gag
reflexes who have compensated by raising their tongue and creating a clicking
noise, but not any that would not such effectively.
Suggested a nipple shield, (with all appropriate information) to shorten the
nipple.
Any other ideas?
TIA
Merilee Reeder

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