I've posted perhaps once before.  I am a LLLL in Oakland/Berkeley,
California.  (For all of a week, btw.  At least I wasn't stumped for a
whole week. :-))  I got a call tonight about which I have a couple of
questions:

Baby is 4 months old, gaining well.  Mom bf her first child for 2 years,
plans similarly with this one.  Never had any probs with child #1, now 3
years old.

Bfing has been painful for whole 4 months, particularly at latch on.  Baby
latches on and off, a couple of times has 'come off' nipple.  Each latch-on
hurts.  Pain continues somewhat through feeding, prob due to soreness- mom
wasn't able to be clear about pain during feeds (due to soreness or pain
still continuing- mom not sure.)  Mom is getting frustrated.  Baby is very
fussy all the time, and this aggravates mom, but she sounded fairly calm
and competent on the phone.  Baby's weight gain is ok- 15 pounds at last
check.  (8 lbs, 12 oz at birth).  Plenty of diapers, etc.

She's tried "all" (mom's words) the positions, and she sounds like she
really has tried many things.  Feedings do not hurt as much at night.  Baby
wakes & feeds once per night.  Baby refuses any artificial nipples- will
not latch, and even pushes bottles away with his hands.  (Frustrates mom as
she would like to go out with hubby for an evening.)  Smart baby? :-)

Baby has albinism, diagnosed at his last pedi appt at 2 months.  I tried to
look up albinism, but haven't been able to find anything about it.  I can't
imagine that it would cause any probs for bf'ing.  But my hubby swears he
once heard it causes hypotonia.  Is this true?  I'm suspecting this has
nothing to do with the breastfeeding difficulties, but one never knows, so
I thought I'd ask.

I'm wondering about the baby's tongue/frenulum and the shape of his palate,
or possibly thrush (antibiotics at birth?).  I'm to call the mom back
tomorrow.

Thanks,
Tricia Jalbert
LLL of Oakland/Berkeley, CA