8 week old not latching

[Guest guest]

Dear Colleagues,

I have permission to post, posted to LN also. I have a client whose baby is now 8 weeks.

Baby had a posterior tongue-tie that was clipped a week ago. Mom has a

low milk supply--has since the beginning. While this would normally

have an impact on baby's willingness to be at breast, I am not sure it

is as significant in this case. The baby takes 1-1.25 hours to take 4

oz from a bottle. He simply does a little chewing motion on the end of

the nipple. She is currently using the NaturalLatch. With such long

feedings, mom is exhausted and baby takes very short naps--mom has

little time to pump and is only managing 6X per day--2 oz per pumping.

(She found no improvement with the Medela Classic--is using domperidone

and herbs). Mom does not use a pacifier, but I have instructed her to

use one as a tug-o-war device to encourage him to learn to hold onto

the nipple. When he goes to breast, which he is still quite eager to do

most of the time, he licks a lot and has a very difficult time

organizing. He does not organize on a finger either. Baby is currently receiving

CST and has extreme tension in his occiput and has a very strong

preference for turning his head to the right. I

am considering suggesting she get a neuro referral, but am hoping

someone here has another idea, including whether we should try a

different bottle. I know bottles have been discussed a lot, but what

this baby does makes me very unclear as to which might be helpful. I am

thinking maybe a Haberman. BTW, mom has had the very best success with

latch with baby in the tub. Mom is very stressed, very emotional about

the situation, but is so devoted to her baby and really wants to feed

him at breast, but has given herself a deadline of the end of the month

as she will be going abroad then.

Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

Intuitive Parenting Network LLC

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