has anyone had experience with an infant with a cleft palate being fitted
with and successfully breastfeeding with a palatal obturator? i have only
read about it's use. interestingly enough, two years ago the children's
plastic surgeon who stitched up my son's ear (okay, so i CAN'T cut hair) told
me that his main occupation was repairing cleft lip and palate. i brought up
breastfeeding, and he proudly told me his wife had breastfed their two
children, he knew how important it was, etc.

i asked him if he encouraged the mothers of his patients to breastfeed, and
to give him credit, the light dawned only then but he was gracious about it.
i pointed out some of the benefits that are even more crucial with these
cases, he asked for some literature, which i sent, and i hope that it means
he now is more breastfeeding-friendly than before.

carol b.