Very true.  My third son was born with a complete utilateral cleft that runs
through his gum and just past it.  We were told not to even attempt
breastfeeding.  The feeding specialist on the Hopkins team told us that it
could not be done and would not be worth it to even pump!  Obviously not
what I wanted to hear.  

We ended up with a different team because of that.  One more supportive of
breastfeeding, with a lactation consultant on the team.  The surgeon and
head of the cleft team told me that he does a lot of charity work in South
America those mothers can't afford special bottles or formula so they
somehow just make it work.  That was all that I needed to hear.

I found out about it at 19 weeks gestation and researched as much as I could
about it.  He is now 12 months and has not had a bottle since he left the
NICU (born at 34 weeks).  We had to use some very odd positions as first to
'plug' the hole but it can be done!  :)  

Christie
Baltimore

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