> I was hopeful that when we got some weight on baby she
>would be able to do a better job at breast.  Today's follow up has baby up 8
>oz., but still only transferring 4-6cc.  Mom decided to go to bottles and
>continue to pump even if she has to pump for a year.  Dad said he even has
>trouble getting anything more than nipple in his mouth  and doesn't see how
>they will ever get more in baby's mouth.  He said this after I had offered
>suggestion that mom should continue to bring baby to breast as her mouth will
>grow and she maybe able to do better job in the future.  Any suggestions or
>help would be appreciated.

Pat,

I agree with you-- tincture of time will help baby deal with those large
nipples.  In the meantime, I like to finger-feed the supplements for such
babies, or should I say thumb feed or ????   I look at both mom's and
dad's fingers and choose one of closer diameter to mom's nipples while
still being able to fit in baby's mouth decently.  I don't like the idea
of offering any kind of nipple that is smaller, because baby really needs
to get used to accomodating a momma-sized nipple.

Having said that, you would have to feel the parents out on this one---
it's a good strategy with well motivated parents, but not with those who
are on the fence and might consider any extra effort a cause for weaning.

-Lisa Marasco, BA, IBCLC
Santa Maria, CA