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Orofacial exercises for babies with breastfeeding problems?

A Bovey1, R Noble, M Noble

  • 1Bayside Breastfeeding Clinic, Qld.

Breastfeeding Review : Professional Publication of the Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia
|April 10, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Many babies experience breastfeeding difficulties due to abnormal orofacial movements. This study suggests that specific interventions focusing on the gape response, attachment, and positioning are more effective than generalized orofacial exercises.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Lactation Consultancy
  • Neonatal Care

Background:

  • Aberrant orofacial movements are sometimes observed in infants with breastfeeding difficulties.
  • Current trends involve corrective orofacial exercises, often adapted from therapies for neurologically impaired infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-examine the efficacy of orofacial exercises ("suck training") for infants experiencing breastfeeding problems.
  • To highlight the potential negative outcomes of arbitrary or generalized exercise application.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing therapeutic approaches for infant breastfeeding difficulties.
  • Analysis of the relationship between infant gape response and orofacial movements during breastfeeding.

Main Results:

  • Most infants with breastfeeding issues are neurologically intact.
  • Poor gape response leads to insufficient latch and subsequent abnormal orofacial movements.
  • Specific, minimal interventions (gape, attachment, positioning) are often sufficient.

Conclusions:

  • Arbitrary or generalized orofacial exercises may yield negative results in infants.
  • Careful consideration and specific interventions are crucial for addressing breastfeeding difficulties.
  • Guidelines for appropriate corrective measures are provided.

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