The role of the soft palate is in closing off the nasal airway to allow
the baby to produce negative pressure in the mouth, and to prevent nasal
regurgitation.
One way to increase the baby's ability to get milk at the breast would
be to have mom use breast compressions while the baby is sucking.  This
can increase the amount of milk the baby gets without the baby needing
as much negative pressure.  Pumping after breastfeeding (pc or
post-cibum) and complementing the baby with a Haberman or Pigeon or
other cleft palate feeder is vital.  A very deep latch will help too,
but increasing the effectiveness of positive pressure for the baby who
can't produce negative pressure.  There is an interplay between positive
and negative pressure in sucking, the baby will often increase one to
compensate for a deficit in the other.  In this case, the baby might
learn to use more jaw compression.  This may or may not be tolerable for
mom, but using a deep, asymmetrical latch will increase the odds that
baby will get milk and mom will be comfortable.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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