--"Isn't it possible, and more likely, that the weak vacuum, clicking, etc. is just the baby's way of coping with the abundant milk supply and fast flow during the feeding?"--

YES!!! This is exactly what I thought. I've seen this often  w/ premature babies on the NICU. Some research has shown that babies will try to compensate for a fast flowing bottle nipple by relaxing their latch and "drooling" milk out. The researchers also speculated that if an infant was consistently given a nipple that was too fast flowing it could have a permanent negative impact on development of the oral musculature (Eishima, K. (1991) The analysis of sucking behavior in newborn infants. Early Hum Dev. Dec: 27(3): 163-73.) The bottom line is, babies will try protect their airways if they are being overwhelmed with too much flow-whether from bottle or breast. Some babies do this by dramatically relaxing their latch/seal, some do it by gulping for dear life, some do it by flat out refusing to participate in a feed. 

I believe it was Lisa M. who suggested encouraging the mom to try to see the situation from the infant's perspective. Great idea!

-Laura Wasielewski MS, CCC-SLP, IBCLC

Learning so much from you all!

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

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