I saw a mom today at my hospital about 30 hours post partum with very
pink chapped nipples especially on the left. She successfully breastfed her
first child whom she described as having a weak suck and had help from LLL in
the past. I did not get to see her latch the baby on. He had just fed and
was sound asleep but I did a suck assessment with my finger in his mouth
because Mom said he had a very strong suck (not a biter). The baby has an
uneven palate with a higher arch on the right and a lower flatter arch on the
left. During ultrasounds Mom was told that he almost had a cleft palate but
that it repaired itself in utero. You can see a slightly thicker line
verticle to the upper lip and slightly off midline. Sorry I can't remember
the name for that part of the face. The left nipple looks a little chewed on
the top lateral side at about 0100. I think the basic problem is not enough
breast in the mouth, nipples are wide but sl. flat and Mom was using the V-
hold. She also told me that the more reddened area at 0100 also gets a white
band across it after nursing but the color returns quickly after she breaks
the latch.
My question is: how much is the uneven palate affecting her? If we get
the baby latched on further back on the areola will this solve the problem
like it would for a baby with a normal palate? The baby hates the football
hold. She has been using the cradle hold and the side lying position mostly.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Cindy N.