Barbara,

I found your story of the baby with cleft palate who hadn't had any ear
infections very interesting.  I am also working with a baby with cleft
palate and lip.  He is three months old and has only had breast milk,
though never at the breast.  His mother decided to provide breastmilk
even though she had no encouragement from the baby's physicians.  The
baby has never had an ear or respiratory infection, and, until I
mentioned it, she had no idea how unusual this is!

Anyway, I could use some advice.  The baby's lip was recently repaired
and now the mother would really like to get the baby back on the breast
because she is getting very tired of pumping. (When she told the surgeon
this, he offered a sneeringly sarcastic "Well, good luck!")   The baby
manages with a normal bottle nipple pretty well, but is understandably
confused and frustrated when presented with his mother's relatively flat
nipples.  Even though he has a cleft palate, I think that getting him to
the breast will basically include the same challenges that it would with
any baby this old who has never nursed.  Any suggestions?


Becky Butler, IBCLC
La Plata, MD