Very true. My third son was born with a complete utilateral cleft that runs through his gum and just past it. We were told not to even attempt breastfeeding. The feeding specialist on the Hopkins team told us that it could not be done and would not be worth it to even pump! Obviously not what I wanted to hear. We ended up with a different team because of that. One more supportive of breastfeeding, with a lactation consultant on the team. The surgeon and head of the cleft team told me that he does a lot of charity work in South America those mothers can't afford special bottles or formula so they somehow just make it work. That was all that I needed to hear. I found out about it at 19 weeks gestation and researched as much as I could about it. He is now 12 months and has not had a bottle since he left the NICU (born at 34 weeks). We had to use some very odd positions as first to 'plug' the hole but it can be done! :) Christie Baltimore *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome