I haven't done any randomized controlled trials but I do use finger feeding in my practice. I've had two Down's babies who fingerfed. The first one improved her suck and was able to go to breast within the first week - mom used a pump to keep her supply up until the suck had improved enough to keep her supply, and breastfed for over two years. Dad would finger feed while mom pumped. Mom was an experienced breastfeeding mom. After three days of finger feeding (baby was about a week old), Dad said he thought the baby should go to breast because the suck had improved so dramatically!
 
Several years later I worked with another little gal whose oral tone was even worse. Because of the good luck with the baby above, we worked for three months finger feeding - mostly going on faith that baby would nurse eventually. And she did, and continued to nurse for three years. She was just on the front page of the Brattleboro Reformer this summer, grinning and eating strawberries. That tongue stays inside that mouth when that's where it's supposed to be.
 
Just two more cases where we are the first, loving interventions.
 
Dawn Kersula...who is NOT doing a randomized controlled trial because I'm currently reading about Action Research instead! (another Vermont College Union Institute student getting a degree in developmental psych with Kathy Kendall Tackett)

 

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