July 2016 Moms
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Tongue Tied
sc112628
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Hi. I have a 2 week old boy who we just found out was tongue and lip tied. He had the procedure to release the tie yesterday. I nursed him immediately following the procedure but since then he has not been able to latch. I am getting frustrated but trying to stay calm. I've been pumping and feeding him with a bottle but afraid to have him confused now drinking from a bottle.
does anyone have any suggestions or knowledge about re-teaching him how to latch? I have a lactation consultant scheduled but she can't come for a few days.
does anyone have any suggestions or knowledge about re-teaching him how to latch? I have a lactation consultant scheduled but she can't come for a few days.
Re: Tongue Tied
-having her extend her tongue to lick milk off a finger or nipple (don't do this if they're very hungry, it will result in an angry baby)
-running a finger along her lower gums to get the tip of her tongue to extend to the corners of her mouth
-having her suck on a finger to strengthen her mouth
I'm sure the LC can give you more exercises to help retrain your son too. We're 1.5 weeks post clip and she's just starting to get the hang of a proper latch so do your best to be patient.
We met with a lactation consultant and she showed me a pain free latch method - which sometimes works, sometimes doesn't - but by doing this we confirmed he wasn't taking milk. She said because he has been dealing with tongue tie for so long (in utero) that he hasn't learned how to properly use the tongue to suck in enough milk. And then, sadly, she said what we knew: it will take some time. We are at two weeks post-tongue tie and he just now seems to be getting more milk (he slurps and burps - all good signs!) but I am still pumping and supplementing with expressed breast milk.
The lactation consultant referred me to a cranial therapist and we've gone twice. I don't know if it's helped but what I can tell you is that through the lactation consultant and osteopathic physician, we have invested enough that I feel compelled to see it through at least the next few weeks.
What I have done is given myself a goal of 6 weeks to assess the situation. By then, sleep habits are forming better and I will be able to see how realistic it will be for me to keep up pumping and nursing or if we need to consider formula (I have a 21 month old so my time is split).
Just doing the standard middle-of-night Google research I have learned the change in nursing is NOT instantaneous after having a tongue tie fixed. I've read as much as 6 weeks, but mostly 2-3 weeks. A friend of mine also said that she pumped for three months, then all of a sudden her daughter was latching and eating. So like everything with parenthood, seems to be a crapshoot,
I would absolutely use your lactation consultant to refer all experts/tips that can help. Also, try the latching overnight when they are not as alert or hungry - you may find he resists less. But most importantly, give yourself a break when you need it. Good luck!
Long stort short - Our daughter was initially formula fed with some episodes of painful and frustrating breastfeeding in the hospital. Frustrated baby and painful latch meant she primarily received and still receives expressed milk. At our first appt, the ped said, "Did you know she has a tongue tie?". Umm...no. That would explain it. We have asked several times now about the tongue tie. They will not have it cut (refer us to a dentist?) unless she stops gaining weight. She is gaining because I have basically given up on bf. I only pump. I looked into the other issues - possible dental and speech problems. Why wouldn't we take care of this now instead of later? I also suspect she may have a lip tie as well...
I am not sure how to pursue this.
My LC said dentists use a laser which is a different procedure. Recovery is a little worse because they're a little burned but not bad. In some cases the laser is needed bc the tongue tie is more severe and clipping is not enough.
I think an LC or someone at la leche who has seen a lot of this may be able to give you a recommendation.
Edited to add: you may want to call an LC even if you don't want to have an appt with them. The LC's I've spoken to are very passionate about getting information out there and may give you this info in a simple phone convo.
One thing that was suggested to me and that helped a bit before the tongue tie was clipped was trying different nursing positions. My LO did best when I laid down/ leaned back in a reclining position and he basically laid on top of me so he was basically on his tummy. This helped a bit with the nipple pain because he wasn't always sucking in the same spot on me.
Also so a huge help was letting my nipple air dry after the feeding.
Married May 16th 2015
July BMB June Siggy
We got both a tongue and lip tie release on our LO a week and a half ago, at 5.5 weeks old. I had issues BF from day one. We saw a LC and it helped a LOT -- LO started gaining weight like a champ. My nipples weren't bloody anymore and it didn't feel like he was about to gnaw them off at every feeding - but week later they were still sore 24/7. And it was still a less than optimal latch. We debated whether to get it done... but decided there was little risk.. compared to the potential gain... my niece at 8 years old just got hers done due to dental issues... and it wasn't pleasant.
It was done via laser. The procedure was extremely fast (he went from our arms back to our arms in less than 5 minutes.. no joke). However the recovery has been another story. The first two days were definitely painful for him. It was rough. But it got better.
A week and a half later... WHEN he latches it's sooooooo much better. It actually feels pleasant for the first time.. as opposed to just bearable. But key word is WHEN.... sometimes he just flat out has a hard time latching and it will take him like 5/10 minutes to get on
We are doing craniosacral therapy which is supposed to help.. hopefully the rest of this latch issue will get cleared up soon from that