Yes Alicia, I have seen a few "Lazy but Lovely " Babies. Your description
reminds me of a little boy that took 10 weeks before he was breastfeeding
really effectively. No health problems were detected. At first visit his mum
was fingerfeeding and pumping and he was 3 1/2 weeks old. Had initially lost
1 lb. He was sucking in a disorganized way, moving the tongue like a little
roller coaster. The tip would be forward over gumline most of the time but
fluttering midway back. His suck improved gradually over time.
Things that helped: Optimal Latching technique (a la Royal College of
Midwives/ Dr. Newman etc.) Point nipple into roof of mouth.
:holding breast in a firming manner to help maintain latch.
:Setting up the Nursing Supplementer so that the flow was fast enough but
not too fast. If latch was mediocre the supplementer wouldn't flow well.
That's all that Mum could achieve at some feeds.
:At most feedings it helped to finger feed him a little first in order to
wake him up. Then he would sometimes breastfeed for a few minutes au natural
when milk flowed easily. Then with the nursing supplementer. Some feedings
he would become too sleepy and  his mum ended up finishing off with finger
feeding. Using the biggest finger comfortable for him, seemed to help
strengthen his suck.(No pinkies)

As he improved slowly, 2 weeks later he went to breast for 10 min, then
finished feeding with the supplementer @ breast(2 oz. EBM.) Feedings were
longer than average often taking an hour or more. Sometimes finger fed at
night to get everyone back to sleep. Feeds per day were 7-8.
His weight increased appropriately, he gained over 2 lb in 5 weeks.

The weird things about him: He would move his arms like a premie (extended
waving) even though he was 40 w. +. His mum would worry that feeding was
tiring him out , but then he would happily stay awake for 30-40 mins after
feedings in a baby carrier looking around.

His mother had breastfed older brother into toddler months. She knew his
suck didn't feel right. I wondered in my secret heart as the weeks went by
if there was something wrong with this baby neurologically, because most
babies like this seem to pick up by 5 or 6 weeks, but every thing turned out
well and he developed a better suck in his 3rd month. At 6 months his mum
sent me a great picture of him with chubby little hands stuffing a toy into
his mouth. He was examined thoroughly in those early months. He was being
seen by two good Docs: His own Dad and Dr. Jack.

Hope this mum hangs in there. Everyone in this situ needs lots of support
and encouragement. The Tinture of Time helps as well as technique. I'll bet
there are others like this.

Anne Kirkham IBCLC
Ontario, Canada