Intro and looking for advice

epaprn

Hi all -

LO was born at 38.3 via induction and emergency c-section due to high BP and cord compression. I nursed and did skin to skin in the hospital but she lost weight and became jaundiced. So we did formula in addition to nursing with a shield. She never quite latched on long enough to nurse. We ended up using the SNS with formula every 3 hours, but it became so cumbersome. I pumped also in the hospital and did so once I was dishcharged. My milk finally came in on day 6, but by that point I couldn't get her to latch. So I supplemented with formula and pumped. I saw a LC 2 days ago who felt that the latch issue was due to tongue tie. My pedi didn't feel that the tongue tie was that bad, but because she wasn't latching she recommended having it done. The pedi ENT I went to was not recommended by the LC and
she made I clear that she doesn't refer to him because he tends to turn kids away or not cut enough off to make a difference. He ended up doing the procedure today. I tried for about 45 min to get her to latch after the procedure with and without the shield, but she won't latch. She either falls asleep or screams and wiggles out of position. I immediately gave her 3 oz of pumped BM and she woke
Up and did fine. I realize that she probably realized that the bottle nipple is so much easier than the breast, but is there hope to get her to latch? I see the LC tomorrow but I feel like she is going to say that the ENT didn't cut enough off and that's the issue. The pedi and ent both were skeptical of the LC saying that tongue tie is a very 'in vogue' diagnosis now.

frugalphillybride

Congrats on your LO.  

That sounds frustrating with getting conflicting advice.  There are a lot of medical staff who are not very familiar with tongue tie.  My ped denied that my son was tongue tied, but the LC felt he was.  We ended up clipping.  There is a Tongue Tie Babies Support group on Facebook that I find very helpful.  Check it out....they might have some good suggestions.

Maybe try doing some skin to skin again and seeing if that helps baby to latch.  And keep offering the breast...maybe when she's not real hungry so she won't get super frustrated if she can't get milk.

Good luck mama!

epaprn

I've been pumping ever 3-4 hours,supplementing with formula 2-3 times per day, usually at night. I pump about an ounce from each side per session, less in the evenings. The LC and pedi told me to feed her every 3 hours with one 4 hour stretch at night - she pretty much wakes up on cue. Today I got her to latch with the shield at the lc's office for about 30 min. We tried at home tonight and she just screamed and pushed me away, despite trying to calm her and gave her a little from the bottle first. I just rented the symphony so I'm trying to pump every time I feed her. We did end up doing the freon tommy, and she was able to latch after, so I guess that's progress.