In a message dated 9/28/98 9:33:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<
 Ok. So, who actually lives in an area where plastic surgeons will actually
 agree to make palatal obturators for cleft babies?
  >>

I do, and see them when we get a referral for homecare for a baby with a cleft
palate/cleft lip. I worked with two breastfeeding moms recently. Both were
pumping and giving bm in a Haberman feeder, but both were waiting for the
obturators. Unfortunately, I could only follow them for a short time because
managed care would not give approval on any more visits. I tried to get as
many visits as I could. Both moms were very motivated to bf, and babies were
given exclusively breastmilk.
I have seen some babies over the years who have them, they work quite well to
enable the baby to create a suction. The docs use them until the baby has the
surgery, which is usually several months away.

Roni M. Chastain, RN, LCCE, FACCE
Visiting Nurse Service of New York