Sharon, I am fascinated by new insights I get in your answers I have read over the past several weeks. (I have not read very widely in this area, but would like to explore it more, if anyone has favorite references.) An example: <When a baby is born, the neurologic system is like a fresh chalk board. All of their experiences (all senses and motor function) "ignite" the system and begin to be recorded. Nerve pathways become "facilitated" as an experience is repeated over and over again. If an infant's temporomandibular joint is tractioned during delivery and they do not have proper excursion of the jaw (opening and closing the mouth...you see it move right or left; the yawn or cry does not reveal a perfect "O" of a mouth), their latch will probably not be optimum. The muscle that controls lip action will be pulled one way or the other so when it contracts the lip will be "sucked" in. Just as in any exercise, the incorrect muscle action will be reinforced at each feeding. It is very true that many infants "self correct" by suckling (another benefit of breastfeeding): the tongue on the roof of the mouth serves to help facilitate articulation of the cranial bones by pushing one bone into another (the hard palate pushes the vomer which pushes the sphenobasilar junction, etc.) which causes a domino effect of correction. Sometimes, the trauma was too severe and they cannot self correct. This is when a chiropractor or cranial therapist or massage therapist or a loving mother's hand might assist them.> If you gave us an introduction to yourself when you first posted, I missed it. I would like to know what the initials "DICCP" stand for, and what your role at the children's hospital is, and anything else you would care to share with the rest of us. Jean **************** K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC Dayton, Ohio USA *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html