I'm working with a mom who delivered at my hospital a baby with a severe,
total bilateral cleft lip (through to nares) and palate.  He has been unable
to take the breast at all, but she is feeding him pumped milk with a Haberman.
I haven't seen her in awhile (baby is 3 weeks old), but I spoke to her on the
phone and she complained about baby being very "gassy".  I will be seeing her
in a couple of days and will explore further what this means and how he's
feeding.  I haven't had much experience with cleft palate babies, or any with
the Haberman.  Anyone have any tips for making feedings more effective, and
possible connection with excess gassiness, if this is indeed the problem.  The
weight gain she reported sounded inadequate to me, but it was a brief
conversation and I may not have gotten the whole picture.  So I wondered if
the fussiness was hunger, but she stated he took 3 oz. at every feeding, which
sounds fine.  Any tips for this situation would be greatly appreciated.  You
can e-mail me privately.  Miriam Levitt RN, IBCLC <[log in to unmask]>