In the case of my sick baby with a G-tube, I have talked to the mom a couple of times about breastfeeding when she was pregnant (and at that time the baby was not expected to live after birth) and after the baby was born and struggling with feeding issues. This couple seems has been through the ringer with this pregnancy and ill baby. They come from a background of a couple generations of no breastfeeding in the family. They don't know anyone with a breastfed infant (except me!). The 2 year old sister was not breastfed. And now that their baby has been ill, and had surgery, and faces more surgery (to remove sequestered pulmonary lobe) in the future not one of the many specialists involved in this infant's care has suggested that the mom's own milk would be helpful for this baby. I think it's hard for them to believe that my nutty belief in breastmilk is valid. I don't think after all they've been through that the mom feels like she can undertake relactation and still have time for her neglected 2 year old, and all the driving back and forth to specialists, especially since they have no reason (other than my suggestion) to believe it may be helpful. The speech pathologist working with them has responded to the baby's gagging and refusing oral feeds by using a faster flow nipple, chin support, and firm pressure on the palate. Baby responds to this by even more distress, I think because she doesn't like the fast flow. Mom is trying out this weekend some slower flow nipples, lots of carrying, and not trying to push the baby to feed quickly, but allowing her to take her time (and use the G-tube for top-offs that will likely be necessary.) If the baby continues to reject feeding and suffer with constipation and stomach upset, I'll try again to get them to consider human milk, radical as that may be! Jennifer Tieman Family Physician Mom to 4, including nursling Caroline Rose born 5/31/03 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html