I guess we haven't heard from anyone on this. I've had a fair amount of
experience with cleft infants, but have never used a shield. Sorry, but
I'm always skeptical of shields. I'd be willing to hear from anyone else
on this, but as milk supply is clearly diminished when using shields, I'd
like to have some data that the risk/beneift is worth it.

--
Marie Biancuzzo, RN MS                      Perinatal Nurse Consultant
PO Box 1562                                        Phone: 703-758-0092
Herndon, Virginia 22070-1562     email: [log in to unmask]


On Wed, 19 Jul 1995, Judy K. Dunlap, RNC, IBCLC wrote:

> Yaffa wrote:
>
> >It seems that someone has found a way to make use of a
> >nipple shield that has been cut out around the top and bottom to >help
> babies
> >with cleft lip/palate.  The idea being that proper stim will still occur >at
> the
> >areolar area to keep up milk production but that the shield will act to
> >fill in
> >the cleft.
>
> This sounds sort of like a modified obturator, but I wouldn't think the
> shield would fit far enough back into the mouth to cover a cleft of any size.
>  I'd be interested to hear more, too.
>
> Judy D.
>