I've found Caroline Hamilton's "Overcoming Lactation Challenges", an
excellent source of reference for dealing with these babies.

Nofia


----------
: From: Mallon <[log in to unmask]>
: To: [log in to unmask]
: Subject: Re: nipple confused baby
: Date: Friday, June 13, 1997 3:54 PM
:
: >      My question:  Is there some sort of device, kind of like a nuk
: > nipple that can help train a baby to suck with his mouth open when he
is
: > not feeding?  I think a finger would be to narrow, but some sort of
: > pacifier-type device is what I have in mind.
: >      I've never seen anything like this for sale, so would appreciate
any
: > homemade solutions as well.
: > Thanks,  Cathy Gaston, IBCLC
:
:
: In "An Overview of Solutions to Sucking Problems" by Susan Meintz Maher,
: she suggests a couple of very effective and "home-made" solutions to the
: problem of baby not wanting to open wide enough while sucking. Encourage
: the baby to suck on a curled knuckle or even an (!) elbow.  I have
: suggested the knuckle idea to mothers, and it seems to be quite helpful.
: Since fingers are conveniently supplied in graduated sizes, there is a
: range of sizes from tiny (Mom's pinky) to Dad's middle finger. The
: finger is curled and baby takes the second joint from the end into his
: mouth. I've never actually seen a baby suck on an elbow.
:
: If baby gags when the nipple is far back in his mouth, try "walking back
: on the tongue" described in LLLI's _Breastfeeding Answer Book_ as well.
:
: Catherine Mallon, LLLCanada
: Sherwood Park, Alberta