Hi April,

I don't know about research, but I had one of our OT's who is trained in CST and is on our NICU feeding team tell me that she had seen vacuum deliveries that that suction is applied to the point that the baby's palate is actually raised and distorted for days after the delivery. I've also seen enough boggy baby heads to the point that I can't imagine that there would not be some kind of long lasting, if not permanent effects. In fact, we know there can be very serious damage done. That's why vacuum extractions are tracked so carefully at many hospitals.

Holly McSpadden, IBCLC
Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 6, 2013, at 4:00 PM, "April Rosenblum <[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Hi Lactnetters,
> 
> I've searched the archives but haven't found (or maybe missed) what I'm
> looking for.
> 
> I understand vacuum (ie ventouse) deliveries can cause great pain and
> difficulty for a newborn in latching and sucking in the first few weeks
> after birth. However, would you expect these difficulties to persist months
> later?
> 
> I've found some references online to nerve impairment from *forceps*
> deliveries, but vacuum is only mentioned in relation to things like caput.
> 
> Can vacuum deliveries also cause the kind of lasting nerve impairment that
> would affect a baby's suck at 6 weeks, 8 weeks or older?
> 
> Thanks!
> April
> 
> --
> 
> "There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story."
> - Mary Lou Kownacki
> 
> April Rosenblum, IBCLC
> 
> Give the gift of lifetime health for mom & baby!
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