In a message dated 96-09-16 15:02:34 EDT,Lisa Marasco wrote (sorry I am so behind on my reading) in a note about premies and sucking needs: . I am wondering if the >haberman feeder might be an excellent alternative--- it is supposed to allow >baby to do more stripping action, giving him more control; the flow is >adjustable, and it is more malleable and perhaps less likely to alter the >premie's soft oral structures. Currently it is recommended more for cleft >palate babies, but should we consider this as a more primary alternative to >the breast? I'd be interested on the expert's thoughts on this. > > I amcertainly no expert but I am interested in the use of Haberman feeders with premies and with full term , "normal" babies to correct uncoordinated sucks. I asked Pat Bull for some information about the haberman and she gave me some articles that have been written about it. Unfortunately there was no research, as I had hoped to have more to go on than just a description of it's development. But that is helpful in understanding how it might help. One of the articles is Nursing Times Jan 13, Vol 84, No.2, 1988. For those of you who do not know, it was invented by the mother of a child with Pierre Robin Syndrome to solve her daughter's feeding problem. She visited hospitals, consulted with cleft lip and palate association and speech therapists to learn about feeding problems in general. She studied cine-radiographs of suckling infants and in 1984 the prototypes were produced and " tested on six healthy babies to assess the feeder ergonomically and for efficiency" " The feeder seemed to promote a sucking action very close to breastfeeding." The main advantages that I see are the length of the nipple which brings it back far enough in the mouth to mimic the breast, the softness of the silicone teat, and the slit opening which allows a variety of flows within the feeding for rewarding sucking effort, but control over faster flow, so as not to overwelm. The teat was designed to respond to tongue action rather than strong suction. When I have used this feeder with babies who are unable to breastfeed-- they are not always immediately successful, and they seem not to be able to remove milk by chewing like with a normal bottle nipple. But they are rewarded for more correct sucking and this can be controlled by turning the teat to allow for a faster flow. I also use finger feeding for these infants with success, but feel that it is more difficult to teach to mothers in the limited time I have and, in some babies, I feel that the haberman is better accepted than a finger--especially a gloved one. I would be interested in knowing of anyone else who has had success with the haberman, and also anyone who knows of if the original research was published. I think it is a worthwhile alternative to other feeding methods when baby cannot feed at the breast. Thoughts, anyone? Chris Lundberg RN, IBCLC