In a message dated 10/29/98 4:20:53 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Another question for all you lactnetters, not lactation related: could a
 baby who is being fed by NG tube (she is discharged from the hospital by
 now, is getting some feeds by bottle) well, could this baby benefit from
 fingerfeeding? (unfortunately it would not be breastmilk). The bottle
 feedings take very long and some feeds still are delivered by NG tube.
 Poor baby is so unhappy during feeding time....Could fingerfeeding be a
 more controlled way of eating? she is aspirating during feeds. >>

I would have this baby carefully assessed for breasthing coordination
problems. there may be a problem with the muscles and structures that should
protect the airway. if you have a feeding specialist (a PT, OT or Speech
Pathologist) in your community, have them take a look. OR the flow of the
bottle is too fast preventing the baby from staying well coordinated enough to
properly protect its airway. Finger feeding may be appropriate, you may want
to try and see how the baby does. Any method that would allow the baby to
better pace its feed and develop appropriate muscle coordination and tone
simultaneously would be a good idea. Sometimes all you need to do is change
the bottle teat to one that a) has a slower flow and b) has a braoader base
that will keep the tongue down and forward over the lower gumline. If you hit
on the right feeding method then the baby may be able to graduate from the
feeding tube. You may also want to have a Certified NOMAS Examiner score the
baby. the NOMAS is particularly good at picking out the specific components of
oral-motor effeort that are not working optimally.

Alison K. Hazelbaker, MA, IBCLC
Certified NOMAS Examiner