wow---sounds like lots going on here. 1) Yeast--if baby has thrush and mom has an open crack at the base of the nipple, I would treat both with 1/2% gentian violet-5 days mom and 3 days baby once a day. Although yeast probably did not "cause" the cracks, it is probably at least contributing to a delay in healing. 2) Epiglottis vs. uvula--I would assume you are actually talking about the baby's uvula...hanging down in the back of his mouth? The epiglottis is generally difficult to see. I am assuming the pedi is talking about a "bifid uvula", which often exists with a submucosal cleft in the palate. This usually makes maintaining latch and milk removal extremely difficult...which would explain "constant" feedings and clicking and nipple damage. A nipple shield might help if this is the case. 3) I would lift the baby's tongue and look for a tongue-tie--it is one thing someone could actually "fix". If present, you could try a nipple shield in the meantime to see if it helps the baby "hang on" without clicking. 4) cup-feeding--I would not see why cup-feeding would be the preferred method in a baby who has baan nursing for 8 weeks. I would use a bottle, to make it easier for mom. Get nipple all the way into mouth. 5) Large, deep cracks at base of nipple--as I have said before, I have found it is useful to have moms use the shells with the smallest openings (actually intended for inverted nipples) to hold the cracks all the way open between feedings. This speeds healing, which has to take place from the base of the nipple upwards, and often takes weeks. I would throw in "all-purpose nipple ointment" applied after each feeding. just my thoughts--good luck! Kathy Leeper, MD, IBCLC *********************************************** 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