Orthodontic nipples help with nipple confusion, also the infant may have a restricted frenulum. THe shape of the orthodonitc niplle mimics the shape of the mother's nipple while nursing. I breastfed my daughter and my son for a year. He had a poor ability to suckle, we used bottles with orthodonitc nipples at first, but he did poorly at both.
He had lost weight and the doc determined that he was tongue tied. We went to an oral surgeon who performed a frenectomy, which afterwards, he was able to nurse fine. There is no failure in not being able to nurse, some people can, some can't.
Kudos to your wife for trying. Good Luck! |