I've been very interested in the discussions of tongue sucking.  Some of
my most frustrating moments as an LC have come with these babes - but
frustration is a major word for the moms!
The tack I have found helpful in hanging in there until these little guys
will nurse has to do with pleasure.  The latest baby I worked with was
very obviously very pleasured by sucking his tongue (and chin!).
Soon we had him enjoying fingerfeeding (he was also beginning to stick
his tongue out at us, and we were doing peri-oral massage prior to each
session at the breast.)
Then we started making fingerfeeding less pleasurable -- he was laid on
the sofa or floor rather than held at the breast.
Meanwhile the mom began "just hanging out with her breasts hanging out" -
nursing ad lib, not worrying about how much he was eating.  Just making
time at the breast pleasurable for baby and mom (I've found breast-time
is sometimes just plain frantic-time for these mothers).
--Hey, I even used a nipple shield once with one of these babes.
  The latest baby did finally latch on and the next day started nursing
and is now totally on the breast.  Three weeks -- half the mom's
maternity leave.  We were sweating it, I tell you.  I am in awe of this
wonderful mom and supportive dad.
        By the way -- did anyone catch Glamour October's editorial?? "If
we're gonna be sending moms home this early...lactation specialists
should be available"  a paraphrase -- but whoa!  Now that's a media
exposure!     Dawn Kersula ([log in to unmask]), FACCE,IBCLC, SADNII
(that's student ADN, sr year)