In my experience, absent uvula is extremely rare, and I’ve not dealt w it for a nursing baby. It’s been a long time ago but I don’t recall bottle feeding being an issue. Since absent uvula is a midline defect and a very mild case of “clefting” i think it could cause issues with the ability to create suction. 

And by the way, parents should be told to never allow a future adenoidectomy on this child as it could result in abnormal voice production/nasal speech given the abnormal muscle and tissue development. 

Kay Anderson, md, ibclc 

> On Jan 8, 2019, at 5:25 PM, Ani Simonoff <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Hi all, 
> 
> I am curious about any stories related to an absent uvula at birth with no other clinical findings, no cleft palate - have you noticed this impacting breastfeeding at all? swallowing/feeding?  Have babies needed any special nipples for feeding? 
> 
> Posting with permission, we had an infant with an absent uvula who had a fair latch that became shallow in the first 2 days (baby was twin B). Mother had sore nipples and was primarily breastfeeding both babies. We were able to adjust positioning and that seemed to improve the latch greatly, good signs of milk transfer evident with both babies.  The baby in question was having some issues with gagging/spit up when being spoon fed formula, but nothing else to my knowledge, and nothing that seeming concerning to the parents. However - prior to discharge the MD requested the mother be given a Haeberman nipple. 
> 
> In my experience as a pediatric nurse I have not seen an absent uvula without a cleft palate and am wondering if a Haeberman would really necessary?  It seems extreme to me without a SLP assessment.  Hopefully mother can continue to breastfeeding and wean off the formula as she progresses, but I am still curious on what you all have seen.  
> 
> Thank you.   
> 
> Ani Simonoff RN, BSN, CPN, IBCLC
> [log in to unmask]
> 
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