My name is Lisa Sandora, I am a Speech-Language Pathologist (15 years) and am
currently at home with my 3 and 5 year old boys.  I am an active LLL member
with a high interest in breastfeeding (particularly since my background
overlaps with the sucking/swallowing aspects of bf).

My response is to Linda Pohl, who is working with a baby with "an extreme
oral aversion".  The oral-tactile hypersensitivity that are you describing
can be the result of immaturity, illness, delayed introduction of oral
feeding and/or unpleasant oral-tactile experiences (such as intubation, freq.
suctioning, etc.).  A speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist
who has worked specifically with the infant population, most likely someone
with NICU experience, should be able to help you with a desensitization
program.  Some NICUs only have OTs doing this type of work, others have SLPs
, depending upon the hospital (politics).  This is a specialty area within
these professions, so I would seek someone whose background has been working
with infants and swallowing/feeding disorders.  Keep in mind that very few
SLPs and OTs have breastfeeding knowledge/experience, so you may need to work
closely as team to discuss the differences between bottle feeding and bf in
terms of placement of breast (extending back to soft palate vs. hard palate
in most artificial nipples), the differences in sucking/respiration patterns
in bottle vs.bf infants.  You may want to talk about your goals for feeding
in order to may certain that you are both working toward the same end.  (And
hopefully, the therapist will gain some new knowledge in this area that she
can use with the next bf baby!)

If this baby is hypersensitive in other areas of the body, not just orally,
then an occupational therapist would be the appropriate referral.  If the
sensitivity is just oral, then an SLP or OT with this particular specialty
will do.

Hope that this is helpful.  Although I have been on LACTNET for less that a
month, I am learning alot and enjoying it, too!

Lisa Sandora, M.A., CCC-SLP and LLL