Down syndrome: Reimagining what ’s possible

Photo credit: Nicole Starr I first met Ella Gray Cullen in the Advanced Fetal Care Center (AFCC) of Boston Children’s Hospital, shortly after she had received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Like many parents expecting babies with conditions that can be diagnosed prenatally, she wanted to know more. We talked about the additional medical screenings that would be recommended for her daughter to evaluate for cardiac defects and other conditions that are more common in children with Down syndrome. We discussed the developmental supports through Early Intervention and school that would be available to help her daughter learn and develop to her best ability. And, we talked about breastfeeding. Can babies with Down syndrome breastfeed? Babies with Down syndrome typically have low muscle tone that can affect their ability to latch and to coordinate suck and swallow. Sometimes this can present a challenge for breastfeeding. This has led some health professionals to wrongly conclude that babies with Down syndrome can’t breastfeed, and even discourage their mothers from trying. Boston Children’s supports all mothers and babies, including those unable to breastfeed and those who prefer to bottle feed. ~ Dr. Emily Jean Davidson The truth is that many babies with Down syndrome are able to breastfeed right from the beginning with no special help. Some babies need a little help from a lactation consultant to learn what positions or techniques work best. Some babies who cannot b...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Parenting Advanced Fetal Care Center Breastfeeding Down syndrome Emily Davidson Source Type: news