initiating breastfeeding with an older baby - anyone??

is there anyone here who has started breastfeeding an older baby? my bub is nearly 8 months and i have been pumping for her since birth. she recently had surgery to fix a cleft lip and cleft palate (hard palate fixed, soft will be done in a few months). I am not even sure if she has enough intact palate to breastfeed yet but i want to start trying. or at least communicating with an LC who has experience in this. I have no idea how to go about initiating feeding. she has no real association with the breast at all. ideas? LC recommendations?

Ring the ABA Helpline 1800 MUM 2 MUM (1800 686 2 686). They can give you some advice and put you in touch with a local LC.

It is definitely possible to establish b/f in an older baby, and babies with cleft palate can usually breastfeed too. Call the ABA.

The ABA may be able to point in the direction of an LC in your area. You can also check online or through local hospitals (some have LC clinics). Some child health nurses may also be able to help you out.
All the best with it! I know some people breast feed adopted children so I'm sure it's possible to do.

The general guidelines for adoptive breastfeeding seem to be to get bub comfy with the combination of being in a "nursing position "(i.e. close proximity to a bare breast, and lying down more than they would for a bottle) and drinking, and then try swapping the drinking-from-bottle for drinking-from-breast. It is important at least initially to keep offering the bottle after at least some attempted breastfeeds, because a learner baby probably won't get enough for the first little while.

Do you have any friends who are breastfeeding older babies or toddlers - I am wondering if your baby might want to try and copy a bigger kid? And have as much skin-to-skin contact as you can, so she is comfortable with that aspect.

i don't have any personal experience, but wanted to say what an awesome effort expressing for so long!

i find breastfeeding in the bath to be lovely for baby and Mum. that would be a good place for me to try. or laying down in bed topless. lots of skin cuddles and then maybe express some milk on the nipple and see if bub gets interested.

good luck!

have you seen this info from the ABA? https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/cleft

Well done on expressing that long! My mum BF my youngest brother who was in the hospital for 6+ months, & he has downs syndrome. I think she just kept trying the 'normal' BF technics until he got it. I remember her saying it's hard work though. :)
Does your little girl try to latch on/suck on your finger? This could be a good way of starting her (maybe)

Just a thought but have you tried putting her up to the boob & squirting some milk into her mouth so she goes looking for it?

I sincerely hope It all works out for you !!!


Chris
DS1
DD
DS2
#4 due Sep

No advice here just wanted to say good luck and I hope that you can establish bf with your bub :)