Hooray, We're nursing!!!

[Kelly]

I'm just dying to share what I have learned about nursing a
cleft affected baby! My son is 9 weeks old, born June 4th with a
cleft of the soft palate that extends into the hard. In the words
of the plastic surgeon, "It's a pretty big hole!" But
anyways, after bottle feeding for 6 weeks (and hating every
minute) i found a clinic in Encino, Ca. that specilizes in
breastfeeding problems, big problems like clefts. We have been up
there three times to get help Ok, so I still am pumping, but...He
is nursing. We use a peridontal syringe ( it holds 1/3 of an
ounce at a time, and has a curved end) to supplement him at the
breast while he is nursing. The woman we have been working with,
Cele Marmet, has over 20 years of experience, and has seen lots
of cleft babies. It has been wonderful!! If any mom out there is
as broken hearted as I was, because of the breastfeeding loss,
call The Lactation Institute. They can even help moms who don't
live close over the phone.We are lucky enough to only live a few
hours away, so we drive. Though I have heard that some moms even
fly there to get help!!! There number is (818)995-1913 and there
web adress is www.lactationinstitue.org i hope this helps
someone:)