Debi,

Thanks for your suggestion.  I did suggest using the silicone nipple
shield to this mother, though I didn't think of adding that she switch
to a silicone bottle nipple first.   We got the baby to suck for 20
seconds or so, but he seems to require immediate gratification, so I
also syringed EBM into the shield while he sucked.  It worked for a few
seconds, so we have hope.  Mother is trying to move along very slowly,
mostly holding him close to her breast while he feeds.  He is very
easily frustrated even with the bottle he is used to.  She has to wiggle
it in his mouth and squeeze a bit in before he will latch on to it.  I
wonder if anyone out there has ever helped bring a baby this old (3.5
months) with cleft palate to the breast?


Becky Butler, IBCLC
La Plata, MD