Is breastfeeding an infant with mouth problems possible?
In most cases, yes, though success usually depends on the type of congenital defect. With cleft lip, surgery to repair the lip (usually done within the first few weeks after birth) can solve any breastfeeding problems quickly. Until then, special breast shields made specifically for moms of babies with cleft lips can help get nursing started. With cleft palate, breastfeeding directly from the breast is usually impossible, but pumping breast milk and bottle-feeding will work until surgery fixes the problem. Other mouth problems may simply require a little extra effort. For example, positioning the baby in a less-traditional way may do the trick. Mouth exercises can also help strengthen your baby’s suckling ability (a lactation consultant and/or physical therapist should be able to help). Don’t be too discouraged if your baby’s mouth problems make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. Whether you pump breast milk and bottle-feed your baby or choose to feed her formula instead, rest assu
