Dear Lactnet Friends:

Tricia Shamblin describes her successful way to feed a baby with a cleft
palate.

The doctors want the baby bottle-fed. This isn't always easy. What's wrong
with the doctors not to recognize Tricia's success?

Some babies can learn to use their tongues to plug a cleft in the palate to
make a seal. Some babies will naturally pace themselves at breast, suckling
for a few sucks and then coming off the breast to breathe.  Mothers can
sometimes lean forward during feeds, to boost flow; they can aim the nipple
to the intact side of the palate if the cleft is uni-lateral.

Christa Herzog-Isler,  from Switzerland, made a lovely video collection of
home movies taken by parents of the mother breastfeeding. It is a powerful
video. She is also an expert in the field:
http://cleftlipandpalatebreastfeeding.com/2013/07/a-tribute-to-christa-herzog-isler/

A baby with clefts deserves the chance to show us what is possible. Babies
with clefts will require teamwork to be sure they grow. Mothers may need to
pump in addition to feeding; a feeding obturator (or a nipple shield) may
or may not help.

The ABM has a lovely policy about breastfeeding babies with clefts.

Research supports the use of the Pigeon Nipple over the use of the
Haberman, although I don't know any more than what I have been told about
that.

warmly,
-- 
Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
Reviews Editor,* Clinical Lactation*
www.nikkileehealth.com
https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth
*Communications are confidential and meant only for whom they are
addressed.*

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