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| The mouth of babies with EB can be extremely fragile. Some babies can drink more easily than others: babies with blisters and lesions in the mouth may have difficulty latching onto the breast or the bottle. |
Mothers may decide to express their milk to feed the baby. It is preferable to choose a bottle with a nipple shaped like an X or Y: this is the best shape for children with a fragile oral mucous membrane because the baby can control the pressure.
The nipple must always be moistened before use, otherwise it will stick to the lips and risks causing damage. In more difficult cases, syringes and/or pipettes may allow the infant to be fed less painfully and more effectively.
Certain instances of blistering inside the mouth prevent the child from feeding: in this case, the infant must be fed via a naso-gastric tube until the blisters disappear. Once they have healed, normal feeding can recommence.
For the type of EB that affects mucous membranes, feeding takes longer. Anti-regurgitation treatment may be prescribed to protect the digestive membranes from any acid reflux.
