I have been trying to get my now ten month old son to latch since we took custody a few weeks ago. He adamantly refuses and gets very upset (screams and cries) when I try. I've tried switching from the bottle to my breast when he is very sleepy, playing when he is awake, using maple syrup, priming the lact-aid so he can get milk right away (and squirting a little in his mouth, which worked to get my older daughter to latch), and various combinations of the above.

I am now out of ideas and don't want to keep upsetting him. I have wondered if there might be an anatomical issue as his tongue often appears twisted and he has a strong tongue thrust reflex still. He refused to allow a sugar covered pacifier to be placed in his mouth while at the doctors. He had a hard time latching to the bottle when he was first brought to the care center, to the point where he became very malnourished and needed a feeding tube. He loves to snuggle so the intimacy isn't a problem.

Between what I pump and what is donated he is exclusively breast-milk fed, but if I could get him to latch I'd be so happy! I nursed my older daughter for close to a year and want him to have that experience, too.

Any suggestions?