Feeding Problem

[jhsamilpa@prodigy.net]

Advice anyone? My seven month old has had her cleft lip
repaired, but my husband and I are still feeding her with the
cleft lip/palate nursers, you know those squeezable bottles.
Well, we've tried numerous times to feed her with regular
bottles, but she hates them and I feel so sorry for her not being
able to suck. It really hasn't become a problem until recently
because she's eating more than these bottles can hold!!! Someone
please help...

[CHADOSTACE@WORLDNET.ATT.N]

WE HAVE A SON THAT IS 17 MONTHS OLD. BORN WITH BILATERAL LIP
AND PALATE, (BOTH NOW REPAIRED). WE USED THE SAME BOTTLE UNTIL WE
FOUND THE "HABERMAN FEEDER"(MUCH BETTER)-COMES WITH 6oz
BOTTLE, BUT WE ATTACH TO REGULAR BOTTLES FOR MORE VOLUME. YOU
SQUEEZE THE NIPPLE INSTEAD OF THE BOTTLE. (WE STARTED SOFT FOODS
AT 7 MONTHS-AFTER LIP SURGERY. WE STILL USE THE HABERMAN DAILY,
BUT HE IS NOW LEARNING TO USE A CUP. THE HABERMAN IS MADE BY
"MEDELA". IT CAN BE PURCHSED DIRECTLY THROUGH MEDELA,
OR AT A LOCAL MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY. MEDELA:1-800-435-8316. FEEL
FREE TO E-MAIL US.

[aahmom29@aol.com]

I have a nine month old who is off the bottle and has been for
one month now. When he wanted more than the nurser could handle I
just took him off the bottle. He did most of it himself. He loves
to eat and drink from his cup, which, he can by himself. I use a
playtex cup, the one with two handles and a removable nondrip
insert so that hunter doesn't have to suck. It can get really
messy at first but they learn quick.

[EDorey1125@aol.com]

I probally won't be much help at all, but I can tell you that
I can totally relate to what you are going through. My son was
born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate. The only bottle I
could get him to drink out of was a 2oz munchkin premie bottle
with a newborn nipple. I thought after his lip surgery I would be
able to change his bottle, no such luck. He drank out of these
2oz bottles until after his palate repaired, which was at 9 1/2
months. Imagine how many 2oz bottles I would have to bring with
just to go out for the day. If your daughter has a cleft palate,
she has adjusted to drinking out of this bottle, and probally
won't let you change, because she would have to learn how to
drink and suck a new nipple all over again.



ERica mom2mikey

[michl67@hotmail.com]

Greetings from Florida..... I am currently working as a nurse
in OB and am seeking information about support groups for new
moms that have infants born with cleft palate also was interested
in recieving any info regarding special oral devices to assist in
feedings of the newborn with cleft lip and palate.....EX :
nipples, bottles, and where our nursery can obtain the necessary
supplies for these infants ......THANKS......Lisa:)

[KRISTINE LEMIEUX]

MY SON IS 10 DAYS OLD. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 AND IM GETTING AFDC AND CANT AFFORD THE PRICE RANGES FOR THESE BOTTLES. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDED ME WITH 2 BOTTLES. I CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY FREE CLINICS WHICH CAN HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM.IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL..


THANKS YOU
KRISTINE LEMIEUX