I am interested in hearing from anyone with experience assisting babies
with DS and their moms with breastfeeding. This past year I have had the
privilege of helping my best friend establish BF with her newborn DS
daughter and also working with a new mom and baby in my practice as a
hospital-based LC. I have noticed a common characteristic these two little
angels share, which is a pattern of latching , disengaging and re-latching
throughout the feeding. Both are gaining WNL on a DS growth grid, but I
have never seen this addressed in the literature. The off and on latch
initially made for some nipple soreness, but that resolved uneventfully.
I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the structural difference in
upper airway, or is it mere coincidence? I have noticed also that both
babies are very sensitive to an overstimulating environment when starting a
feeding. As each of these girls have matured, they have settled into fairly
effective and predictable nursing patterns. Thanks for any ideas, imput and
shared experience.
                        B. Warner RN IBCLC

PS; I, too, grieve the loss of Diana. I was always moved by her tenderness
with children.