>>Lisa,
What does a bifid uvula look like? Is it split down the middle? Is this s=
omething=20 we as LC's could see on examining the baby's mouth? Would we see
it if we= =20 push down on their tongue? It is mentioned in the
Breastfeeding Atlas, bu= t=20 there is no picture.<<

Bifid uvulas are indeed "split" down the middle. Think of a "forked tongue"
only it's a forked uvula. The split can be only a short portion of the uvula
or run almost the whole length. Mine is almost complete.

While I saw my son's easily when he was young, it can be difficult to
visualize many baby's uvulas, depending upon their oral anatomy. With some
babies, the back of the throat seems very low, which could be more a
function of a bunched tongue blocking the view, or a fast sloping soft
palate. A tongue depressor or q-tip can be used to gently depress the back
of the tongue for a quick peek, and a flash light really helps. 

I have a picture of my sister's that we took recently. We found out that one
of her twins also has it-- definitely runs in our family.

Lisa

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