Dear Alison,

I read with great interest your recent post about oral
defensivity/aversion in neonates.  You mentioned 3 or 4 authors (I
think) who have written papers? (or authored texts?) on the subject.  My
interest stems strongly from seeing many babies who have been suctioned
for mucous, post c/s or whatever and then not want anything near their
oral area, much less breastfeed.  Have personal experience as well as my
son was bronchoscopied at birth and persists in oral aversion to this
day.  Do these papers also offer any type of therapy for these babies?
I would imagine that some would respond to gentle suck training
techniques to de-sensitize the palate and generally help the baby to
feel his mouth is a "happy place to be".

My e-mail is [log in to unmask] if you'd rather respond privately,
or if others have interest, perhaps this could generate a thread of
discussion!

Sincerely & Fondly,

Wendy Lee Reddy