Interesting question.  I am also in western WA state.  I know it is part of
the newborn assessment in both hospitals I work at.  I actually do think it
is a good thing.  I have now seen 2 babies with missed cleft palates.  In
one case, the boy was exclusively breastfeeding and appeared to feeding very
well.  He appeared to have a perfect latch and suck and was feeding often.
He almost went home undetected.  As the nurse was getting ready to discharge
him, he let out a yell and she saw the cleft and brought it to the
pediatrician's attention, who also missed it.  It was way back in the soft
palate and just couldn't be felt with a finger.  It turns out that he was
not feeding well at all and was not transferring any milk, though it wasn't
for a lack of trying on his part.  I'm glad we found it.  I can only imagine
what would have happened if he had gone home... a mom with engorged breasts
and a baby who would be underfed and losing lots of weight.

Because of these situations, I no longer stick my finger in a baby's mouth.
I now always get them to open up and take a peek.  It's a far better way to
assess if there is a cleft.

And as a side note, I do not do this during the first hour.  The first hour
is reserved for breast feeding.  I typically do it in the 3rd or 4th hour
during my head-to-toe assessment and first bath.

Christina Harris, RN
Federal Way, WA

On 11/20/07, KDunning <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> hi, i am wondering if this is a common practice around the world. it is
> a huge pet peeve of mine. even some of the the midwives here (western
> washington  state) "check the babies  suck"  by sticking there gloved
> finger  in the babies mouth before they  get to breast.
> katie dunning IBCLC LLLL central kitsap

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