thread: Baby with high palate

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Northern Beaches Sydney
    533

    Baby with high palate

    Hi - Need some advice for friend of mine please.

    She has a month old baby and she is experiencing a lot of pain when breastfeeding. She has persevered so far but really isn't enjoying it. She has told me that while it has got better it still isn't pain free. She has also said her DS has a high palate which she believes is causing the problem.

    I am thinking of suggesting that she try nipple shields but don't know anything about feeding baby with a high palate and whether the shields would do any good.

    Hoping there is someone else here with heaps more experience than me who had provide me with some words of wisdom to share with her.

    TIA

  2. #2
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    Does your friend have a Lactation Consultant helping her? High palate can cause attachment issues for babies and they are not always easily resolved. I would say that a good Lactation Consultant is the best bet in this case - the LC can advise on nipple shields etc once she has seen what is going on. Best of luck - I hope your friend is able to feed soon.

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Member

    Oct 2007
    Ever so slowly going crazy...
    2,268

    Yep, she needs a LC.
    Another feeding technique for high palate bubs is to feed them front on... with their nose on top of the breast, and chin on the bottom.. it puts a good amount of breast tissue into the top of the mouth, to help fill the "gap" from the high palate... good luck to your friend.. xoxoxo

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    North Northcote
    8,065

    I also agree that an experienced LC is a really good start. also contacting the ABA in those moments where it's all hairy and you just need to talk to someone that is able to work with you in that moment also can help.

    My baby was also born with a high palate and in the end what resolved our problem was a visit to the Osteo. they did some cranio osteopathy and the palate issue was resolved in one session. i can highly recommend it.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Northern Beaches Sydney
    533

    Thanks girls will pass this advice on to her and see how she goes. She's done so well to get to where she is today but poor thing isn't enjoying it so I think she'll give up soon if something doesn't happen to make it better.