I believe there is some research on this connection. I cannot remember the
person's name but I believe she developed or help develop the NOMAS scale
(neonatal oral motor assessment scale, I think). I have done some reading
and CD education on this. They offer a yearly or semi-annual certification
program which I have always wanted to do. She makes the statement that
"feeding is neurologic" or something like that and she makes the distinction
between "disorganized" feeding (which typically would be a premie who has to
learn to coordinate suck/swallow/breathe) and "dysfunctional" feeding (I
think) which is high tone, low tone, abnormal tongue function and the like.
Very interesting info and does correlate with later neuro outcome. Perhaps
some on lactnet are certified to do NOMAS and will comment.
If you do a search for some of these terms you will find it.
P.S. Unrelated, but wanted to say that our hospital will not allow us to use
syringes with parents nor give to parents for fear of somehow this getting
into the hands of drug abusers.
Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA

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