To Robin-
It has been my experience that babie with a cleft palate need a feeding tube
supplementar (SNS) to effectively breast feed until the cleft in the palate
is repaired. . When the baby cannot close off his airway to create  good
suction, they have to work extra hard. Trying to breastfeed with a hole in
your palate is sort of like sucking through a straw with a hole in it.  You
can try using finding a hospital or cranial facial clinic who can fit an
obturator in the palate, which is similar to an orthodontic retainer, but
these are not universally popular. The Haberman is an excellent feeding tool
for cleft palate babies whose mothers cannot manage an SNS. As for the tongue
being flattened to the bottom of the mouth, make sure the frenulum is not
tight, and then check the range of motion of the baby's tongue- can he
lateralize it to the cheeks, can he protrude it past the lips, does he have
tongue tip elevation, etc.
You might need to find an OT or Speech Therapist to assess oral motor
involvement.
Good luck.

Debbie Rabin, OTR,CLC
from beautiful, 70' F Los Angeles