Learning to suck again

[jakowalski@earthlink.net]

My son is almost 9 months old and had his cleft lip repaired
at 2 months of age and his palate repaired at 5 months of age. He
has used the Haberman nipple system since he was 5 days old. His
cleft palate was a complete cleft all the way back. Completely
open, very severe. He is still using the Haberman system to this
day. When will he learn to suck normally? The doctors keep
telling me that he will eventually. He hasn't yet and he's going
on 9 months old. I wondered if anyone out there had the same
problem. Please send me some ideas on how to teach him something
that should already be his natural instinct.



Sincerely, Very Frustrated and Confused

[Emma Baldwin]

Many children have difficulties with the development of sucking. As you have already mentioned it is important that this be properly looked into as there could be several explanations for your baby having this difficulty. Depending on the nature of the problem there is a variety of techniques to develop sucking.


Referral to a Speech Therapist could help you to work out what specific difficulties your child is having.


Many medical professionals are unaware of the input that a Speech Pathologist can have with early feeding difficulties. It is usually a parent who requests a referral through the Paediatrician or GP.