Might I suggest that baby's with clefts don't create suction on ANY
feeder.  Try positioning the baby in an elevated side-lying position
with chin support.  Use the feeder on the longest line.  The Enfamil
cleft feeders just pour the milk in.  That's it.  It takes a while for a
baby to learn how to use the SpecialNeeds Feeder at least for some
babies.  It's like a baby using compression to breastfeed.  Check out
Mercy Children's hospital out of Kansas City's video on Cleft Palates.
This is a wonderful video on supporting families of cleft palate babies
and breastfeeding and has a good section on using the feeder.  I would
also ask how old is the baby gestationally?  

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brenda Phipps
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 4:34 PM
Subject: Cleft lip/palate and feeding problems

We have a baby feeding from a Haberman feeder - baby has an extensive
bilateral cleft of the hard and soft palate. Lots of trouble creating
suction with the Haberman, and infant is taking 25-50ml at a time. This
feeding problem is the only thing holding baby up from discharge. 

What have all of you found to be successful other than the Haberman? I
was thinking of ordering a softfeeder from Medela, but I've never used
it before. 
Has anyone used this successfully?

Brenda Phipps, BS, IBCLC

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email:
set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To
unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules
and directions: get lactnet welcome

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome