Hi Lynn,
I've had some 'mystery non-latchers' in my practice, who seemed to have
all the skills to latch except the ability to get the breast formed into
a teat in the mouth.  Things that have helped get some of these babies
on the breast included:
patience and persistence - mom kept trying, baby took breast at about 6
weeks in 2 different cases.
self attachment in the bath-tub or in bed - mom laid baby prone on her
chest, baby latched on repeatedly by him/herself.  This also worked in a
few cases.  One baby latched and cried, latched and cried at each
feeding for about 48 hours until she finally latched and sucked.  (Mom
cup fed ebm after each failed attempt to get baby to bf.)
nipple shield with tube underneath (either fingerfeeder, SNS/lact-aid,
or 5 french feeding tube) to give an instant reward of ebm if baby even
attempted to mouth the nipple worked in another few cases.
other babies never latched, or would latch and suck only once or twice a
day, no matter what Mom or I tried.
Good luck with this frustrating situation.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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