Tongue tie, nipple shields - wind? Help?

[purpleluce]

My new born may have slight tongue tie, only 4 days old and does seem to struggle to latch on, but am at engorged stage so doesn't help him. Have had some success with shields but he pulls off and cries on and off through out the feed am wondering if the shield makes him take on more air. anyone any experience or advice on this please?

[tiktok]

More likely he's not really getting a 'good' latch or a 'good' feed with the shield.....what do you think?

[JANINEMCG]

Have you tried expressing first? I did this the first week as was also v. engorged and it helped 'pull' my nipple out and ds latched on no problem.

Also used one of those v shaped cushions to lie him on which made it easier too.

[purpleluce]

Thanks for your comments, both are really helpful. Have managed to get him to latch now and also found some info in the archives that is really useful on tongue tie which could be contributor. Spoke to midwife this morning so am going to get some follow up - but main thing is, he is feeding

thanks

[helenhismadwife]

Hiya

both my youngest daughters were born with tongue tie, the older one really badly and for me it made feeding very hard. I was incredibly lucky because I lived in Bristol where they have a dorctor (and a midwife) who actually seperates the tongue ties, it made a really huge difference, the earlier it is done the better it is a simple procedure and doesnt need anaesthetic I cried more than the girls did . Before it was done latching was really really hard after it was just simple. The person who did my girls was Rachel Hilland she is the lactaction consultant there as well you could contact her for support/advice 0117 950 5050 ext 3042; there are other places around the country that do it this link gives you some;

www.babyfriendly.org.uk/tonguetie.asp

hope that helps and good luck

Helen

[purpleluce]

thanks Helen, I am in St Albans and there is a similar lactation consultant in Luton apparently so I spoke to her today and am going to get her to check it out. Saying that, his feeding is actually going from strenght to strength so I think it may not need to be done - which is weird as part of me thinks better to do it now while it is a minor opp rather than wait to see if there are speech or other problems. On the other hand, don't want to do something unnecessary for poor littl mite

[helenhismadwife]

it really is a simple procedure I waited with my 2nd daughter until 11 weeks and to be honest wished I hadnt but I did have real problems with feeding but if your feeding is going ok maybe you dont need it doing its still a good idea to see a consultant though

good luck

Helen