[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by dianethomas

Of course, it's completely up to you, and there's no right or wrong answer in a situation like this. No one can say "this is what you should do." You have to do what you feel is right for her. Open wounds should be closed, I think, but trying to "fix" her mouth is pointless until she is fully developed.
When I was feeding Z, I really had to squeeze the puppy bottle I used to administer the formula. he never sucked, only swallowed. And, like Emma and Tia, he never had his mother's milk.
So her not being able to suck is not a problem, and if she can't swallow, you're going to have to resort to tubing.

She can swallow.... and before her stitches fell apart, she could suckle pretty well... (she tried hard and got good suction... but I'm sure it's pain that would make her release and tire) so I continued to use the dropper... and today also started with a 1cc syringe.

Oh... also, it's not so much her mouth that we're concerned with... I mean, sure - if she can form her mouth properly to suckle better... that's great... but the palate is repaired and her tongue is just fine, so she could still nurse without dealing with the lip problem.... but it's her nasal passage that he wants to repair... right now, it's wide open - no protection.... once he "put her together" we were waiting for that to heal so he could then create the nasal passage, etc.