Tongue tie/nipple pain

ShannonE & JustinS

I have been having many pain and nipple issues with breastfeeding including bleeding and blistering. LO is almost 8 weeks. I finally went to my doctor at 6 weeks and she prescribed the all purpose nipple ointment(which is helping) and told me to go to lactation support group. Thank god for the group! The lactation consultant helped with my latch and checked DS tongue which has some tongue tie. When I saw the pedi they told me he had it but said it wasn't that bad so they weren't going to cut it. The LC said that if I was bottle feeding it wouldnt be that bad but since I'm breastfeeding it is a big deal. So, my questions are: 1. Has anyone demanded their pedi cut the tie? 2. Is it going to hurt my baby? (I feel guilty but my nipples are dying) sorry this is so long but I really appreciate feedback! It's frustrating that I feel like I'm having these problems and I don't know who to turn to my doc, th pedi, the lactation consultant. Everyone says breastfeed but no one take the reins when things arent right.

AmyRI

I would ask the pedi for a referral to a pediatric ENT who could give a 2nd opinion. I would clip based on their opinion, not just the pedi.

It will not hurt your baby. The worst part of the procedure is holding the baby down so the doc can clip the tie. There are no nerves in the tie, so it's not a painful thing. It will bleed a few drops, but it mostly makes drool pink for a few minutes and it's over. You can nurse immediately after the procedure. For us, the clipping of the tie did not fix his latch and suck right away, but it was a change right away and within a week or two it was significantly better. Although, this was with a 5 day old with a severe tie, so maybe it will fix it for you right away. I have no regrets about having my DS clipped.

jonsuz

I am interested to see the responses. I asked three people while I was in the hospital whether she had a posterior tongue tie and was told no. Then I asked our pedi and he said no as well. She is 7 weeks and I still have pain and mishaping of my nipple. I went to a LLL meeting and someone confirmed my suspicion. I am going to a LC on Tuesday and if they also agree I am going to an ENT. Good luck with your search-I would def cut the tie if an ENT agrees as it would make breastfeeding even better than it is!

ALane1128

I know your pain! DS was tongue tied & I was referred to an ENT! Our pedi said she wouldn't of done it w/us BUT she did because we're bf'ing & I plan on it for a year. I was in so much pain, I cried all the time. He was 3 weeks when it was done. They said I could be in the room w/him but it was the doctor & 2 nurses so I wouldn't of been able to see anything. So DH & I sat in the room next to his. I heard him cry for maybe 15 seconds and then he stopped & the doc brought him back. I nursed him for 15 min & the doc came back in to check & it was perfect! I would suggest doing it now rather than later. In about 3 days bf was waaaaay less painful! Those 3 days was my nipples basically healing. I'm so glad I did it cause I probly would of stopped. We are now almost to 3 months! Remember...a happy mommy is a happy baby. If you're in pain, its not gonna work. Good Luck!

Babymamawithdrama

I agree with Amy RI about getting a referral to an ENT... and if your pediatrician won't refer you I would seek one yourself through friends / family.

Both my children were born with tongue ties, my son's did not effect his nursing or intake of breastmilk.  We had him evaluated at 6 mo by an ENT and then clipped (mostly so he would not miss out on some traditional things like licking lolly pops and icecream etc).  The pedi wanted t wait to see if it would effect his speech - we didn't want to wait for a problem to have my on have to relearn to speak correctly.

My daughter also was born with a tongue tie, again it didn't effect her intake of breast milk, but I realized shortly that her nursing was bringing me alot of pain, within a few days of being home I scheduled the first available appointment... her tongue tie was cut when she was hme almost 3 weeks.  There was a few days for her to learn how to latch correctly and she reverted back at the beginning, but my nipples feel so much better now.

The cut itself doesn't seem bad, they numbed the area locally and a quick snip snip, both were able to nurse a minute later.  Tynolol helped during the day for them.  The hardest part was watching and holding them while they did the procedure.  My son had a bit more blood (I figure because he was older).

If it is effecting your nursing I would recommend doing it earlier, I could not imagine enduring that pain for very long