August 2015 Moms

Tongue tied

I just left the lactation consultant after our third appointment and im beside myself. My daughters latch due to a deep set tongue tie has not improved and she continues to destroy my nipples. I desperately want to Breast feed but I'm running out of options.

I am going to try physical therapy where they massage her mouth muscles to try and loosen them up. I was advised to try this twice and if it doesn't improve to go and have her tongue tie fixed. I was told to have it done with a laser because of how deep her tongue is.

I'm beside myself. I don't want to cut my little girl and out her through that and at the same time I desperately want to Breast feed her. Is it selfish of me to want the procedure done so I can Breastfeed her? Do I just give up on breastfeeding and pump even though I hate pumping???

Ugh I'm just so sad :((
Daisypath Anniversary tickers

Re: Tongue tied

  • It isn't selfish at all. Breastfeeding is great for mom and baby. I've actually heard that clipping the tounge tie is beneficial for speech development later on as well. Obviously it is something you will have to decide, but everyone I know who has clipped their babies tie has said it made a noticeable difference immediately. Hang in there mama! Good for you for working so hard at BFing. Lots of mamas would have thrown in the towel by now.
  • Loading the player...
  • My two boys were tongue tied. The first was really bad. His tongue looked like a butt with the crack right down the middle and visible all the time, and the second was mildly better but still tied.
    Honestly I would fix it ASAP. It is super easy when they are really young. My first was 11 months old when we got his and he had to be put under anesthesia. He was almost one year and hadn't eaten solid foods because he choked on them. To this day he is a super picky eater. My second son had his clipped at three months and it was done in office. He screamed but there was barely any blood and he recovered fine. I so wish I would have taken care of both of them in the first couple weeks! I wasn't able to nurse either of them past the hospital.
    When my daughter was born last month I had her checked and rechecked because there was no way I was going to wait to cut it if need be. She is only borderline tied and she latched great from the start, so we have left it alone for now.
    With speech and food and BFing issues with ties, I whole heartedly agree to cut it now and it is not that big of a deal. Don't feel bad. It's minor and totally worth it even if you weren't nursing.
  • We are dealing with a tongue tie too. It's gotten so frustrating that I am going ahead and making the appointment to get it clipped. I read that it is about an equivalent amount of pain to getting your ears pierced because there aren't many nerve endings on it. I think the pros outweigh the cons on this one for me.
  • I have no advice here, but I understand your want to brestfeed. I never knew how I would feel about breastfeeding until I had LO and started doing it. I love that Im able to do this with her, so again I understand. You are her parent and need to make the best decision for you all. From other posters responses it sounds like there are benefits of doing it beyond just breastfeeding.
  • My DD has a slight tongue tie. I decided against getting it clipped (ped didn't recommend since it's so minor) however I would think a bit differently if it was complicated. I would try the massages first, and if that doesn't work I would probably go with the clip. Only you can make the best decision for LO.

    I decided to EP because of her latch and I'm totally fine with my decision. GL with whatever you decide!
        DS born 8-16-2013
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    image
  • My DS has had both a posterior and anterior tongue tie clipped. He got over both very quickly with no residual problems (neither helped with my breast pain tho!) Would rather do it now than to try and deal with it later when it requires anaesthetic. Good luck. I know how frustrating the struggle to breastfeed is!! Twice over!!
  • My DD2 has a moderate tongue tie which we didn't clip as we were able to breastfeed despite her crappy latch. If the tie is getting in the way of either you or baby's health/happiness get it clipped. The recovery is WAY easier the younger they are. I would have zero hesitation if I were in your shoes.
  • They told me they would have to use a laser to do it not have the pedi clip it. Anyone heard of that?
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • My son was tongue tied so they cut it. What's the big deal?
  • DS has a moderate tie. I EP and will not have it clipped. Best of luck!
  • Saratiff said:

    They told me they would have to use a laser to do it not have the pedi clip it. Anyone heard of that?

    My gf got her daughters lasered. She said it was quick and painless.

  • Saratiff said:

    They told me they would have to use a laser to do it not have the pedi clip it. Anyone heard of that?

    I know ive read about someones LO having to have theirs done with a laser. It might have been on the 0 to 3 month board. I cant remember now ugh...may want to search that board or even this one. Im positive I saw it on here.
  • Saratiff said:

    They told me they would have to use a laser to do it not have the pedi clip it. Anyone heard of that?

    Hi! My LO was born at the end of July and I was spying on the August board, but wanted to chime in. I had my DD's lip and tongue lasered last week. The laser seals the area and stops/prevents bleeding. It also heals better. I heard it bleeds really bad when clipped. We went to a pediatric dentist to have it done. She got the ties from me. My parents didn't correct mine as a baby and I had to have them done anyway as a teenager. I had mine lasered also. I was on the fence on getting hers done at first, but there are way more pros than cons. The day we had hers done she was a little more fussy and clingy, but was back to her normal self a day later. You have to do "stretches" and rub the lasered spot so it doesn't heal closed together. That part does suck, not gonna lie. All in all, I think it is totally worth it. Do the physical therapy either way. My dentist said doing it before having it lasered is best because it can loosen it up and they can get better access to the area. Best of luck whatever you decide!
  • @Lynzwebb thank you so much for that! How did you go about finding a dentist to do it?
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
  • amk013amk013 member
    edited September 2015
    How old is you LO? My DS is tongue tied and breastfeeding was so painful at first. He's four weeks today and it's gotten much better. I'm still debating having it clipped because I think it would be easier to take care of now than wait till he has a speech delay or something. My pediatrician didn't want to do anything about it unless it is causing him a problem. His is pretty deep but he can latch. My nipple comes out of his mouth shaped like lipstick instead of being straight. But I've noticed that it is looking better now that his mouth has gotten a little bigger. I really want breastfeeding to work out, I would have it clipped if needed to keep that going. I never thought I'd care about breastfeeding, but now that we're doing it, I find it to be so special and I want it for both of us! Good luck either way!

    Ps- bamboobies makes an organic nipple cream that has saved me!! It's in a black bottle and I got it from target online (don't think it's available in stores)
  • Saratiff said:

    @Lynzwebb thank you so much for that! How did you go about finding a dentist to do it?

    My lactation consultant recommended the dentist. I lucked out, the dentist is not very far from me but she is the only one around that does it with the laser. Apparently people come from out of state to have her do it. See if your lactation consultant or pediatrician have someone local they could recommend.

Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"