The child will not be able to eat the regular way if he has esophageal anomalies. Atresia is where the esophagus ends blindly. It does not connect to the stomach. Fistula [T-E fistula] is when the Trachea and Esophagus have a connection and food will get into the lungs this way. So usually these babies are corrected surgically right away. Then after the surgery feedings will begin slowly just as feedings are advanced slowly after any surgery. The parents should request a conference with the neonatolgist and pedi surgeon[s] prior to the birth to ask all about what these conditions mean and what to expect and express their desire to bf and how this will affect same. Bf would be the safest food so I would be suspicious if anything else was recommended once reg. feedings are started. The baby will be on IVs at first. The baby should be born at a hospital with Level 3 nicu and pedi sub-specialty services (peds surgery, peds gi, genetics) or transferred to same, IMO. I think it is documented that babies have better outcomes if born at the level 3 facility instead of being transferred out. Good luck to this family. Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html