I made a home visit yesterday and am writing with the knowledge of the parents. 



Baby boy born at home with a mid-wife Wed. ll/26/08, weighing 6 lbs 4 oz. Described as a sleepy baby. Had a couple of good feeds apparently but evidently never really learned to latch and nurse. I was not able to determine why not. Mother began to pump with a Pump in Style. Attempted to supplement at the breast with a tube, as per advice in Jack Newman's book, however baby did not latch long enough for them to get started. 



Mother called and requested home visit, saying that she did not have enough milk. In early morning she can express 1 oz but then amount dwindles during day. She fed what she could express by bottle. No formula given. What she is pumping now is not satisfying baby. 



No BM since Sunday although there have been about 6 wet diapers per day. 



Baby’s tongue does not appear to be tied. Mother’s nipples are not sore. Breasts appear normal. Mother concerned that engorgement came and subsided very rapidly. 



While I was there the baby’s pediatrician arrived. Knowledgeable and supportive. Plan worked out is: 

    1. mother rent a hospital grade pump. 
    2. Mother pump and feed what she has by medicine spoon. 
    3. Supplement with formula by spoon until baby is content but not overly full so that he will feed frequently. 
    4. Mother to offer breast at end of feeding, as well as at other times, in hope that he will latch for comfort sucking. 




My question to you is, do you have any ideas how to get the baby to latch?Can you think of anything I have missed and should investigate? 




Alice Roddy 

LLLL, Front Royal, VA 

             ***********************************************

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