The following article may be of interest to those interested in the ability of babies with clefts to create suction:
Reid, J., Reilly, S., & Kilpatrick, N. (May 2007). Sucking Behavior of Babies with Cleft Conditions. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 44(3), 312-320.
I recently worked with a mother whose baby had a unilateral cleft of lip and palate. We used a nipple shield and supplementer system without the plate inserted and this baby managed to transfer some milk directly from breast in some way. The surgeon however insisted the baby use the plate but baby was not happy with it insitu during feeds.
As it appears to me that parents with babies of cleft palates are told that they definitely won't be able to breastfeed there is minimal/no work being done here to allow mothers and babies to explore varying breastfeeding relationships. Skin to skin is not even on the agenda (sigh)! At least they are being assisted to express their milk for their babies but.....
Shaughn Leach RM IBCLC DipT
Perth, Western Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, 20 August 2008 7:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Cleft lip/palate and feeding problems
Absolutely should supply be supported and protected, but to say that ALL cleft affected babies cannot create suction is not accurate. Again, it depends upon the baby and the size/position of the cleft.
I don't think I'm hiding my head in the sand, I've assisted with more than 24 cleft-affected babies in the area with varying degrees of "mother-defined sucess."
Best wishes,
Sam Doak
---- Kershaw Jane <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I don't understand the comment about "throwing out cleft-affected
> babies". Milk supply is the real issue. If baby can get adequate
> volume because mother has MORE than adequate supply, there is not an
> issue. Research has shown that suction IS an issue in supporting
> supply, especially if there is low supply to start with or supply fades
> because of failure to drain the breast to an adequate degree. An
> artificial baby may be necessary to keep supply above average so that
> baby gets enough at the breast and if mom is programmed high, it is
> possible for baby to get enough without supplementers. BUT you can't
> hide your head in the sand. I have seen this happen too many times
> where mother's supply is not protected in all sorts of situations. It's
> important to both be supportive and realistic, as has been discussed
> many times on lactnet.
>
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome