DS is 15 weeks. He fed well at the start so it was never brought up. Had some nursing strikes in weeks 8,9 and 10 screaming at breast. Managed to get him over it still bfing but he snacks, still comes off screaming at about half of feeds but is gaining well as feeding so often. He doesn't resist feeds much at all now but doesn't always feed well. He has progressively started to go less between feeds used to be every 3-4 hours now its more 1-2. Going with it and managing ok ish sleep wise etc. had posted before about it someone suggested tongue tie so I looked at his tongue and indeed it was heart shaped. Called the HV who said it wouldn't be one if he fed well at the start. However, went in for jags weeks later and he as crying and she noticed his tongue and said, 'oh it is a heart shape hmmm' and then that she'd check it out at the clinic 'in a few weeks' have been to the doctor and got referred to hospital about it though as wasn't going to wait.
So, has anyone experienced something like this? Did you have it cut and at what age? Does it hurt them and will it necessarily see to a improvement in feeding? The doc said the fibres did seem quite tight and he can't stick his tongue out beyond his lips.
Thanks for advice!!
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Tongue tie... Any experience of it found late, did you get it cut?
hamncheese · 13/11/2012 16:37
I actually have a tongue tie myself - my DS's is identical, according to the lactation consultant who originally identified it. I never knew about it until I went to a new dentist just a few years ago who offered to snip it for me - I declined, as the only thing it has ever stopped me from doing is rolling my 'r's, although I always did wonder why I could never stick my tongue out like the other kids at school or even attempt to touch my nose with my tongue. The way I have to lick my top lip is to pull my lip in rather than stick my tongue out, IYSWIM. Doesn't stop me from eating donuts, unfortunately 
Had a fascinating conversation with mum, though. She also never knew I was tongue tied until I told her. When DS's problems started and the tongue tie was identified she was surprised as she said she'd never had any problems with me. HOWEVER, when I was agonising to her about having to get DS's tongue tie seen to, she said, 'Yes, I had to send you for horrible tests when you were 9 months old and it was awful but you forgave me.' I asked her what horrible tests. Apparently, they endoscoped me, did a barium swallow and all sorts to check for a tumour or blockage...because I was suddenly only sucking for five minutes on my bottle, screaming with hunger, then only intermittently going back on before screaming again. Sound familiar? As mum was describing these symptoms, I think we both made the revelation at the same time. 'My God', she said. 'After all these years and all those horrible pointless tests. They ended up telling me it was behavioural on your part, which I never really believed.' She also told me that she found BFing agonising and had bleeding nipples but that the midwives told her it was because she hadn't conditioned her nipples properly. Despite this, she fully intended on persisting, but around 6 weeks I started fussing and pulling off the breast. Doctors and maternity nurses told her it was because her milk had dried up due to stress about returning to work, so she reluctantly switched to bottles. I think we just sat in shocked silence for a few minutes, knowing what we know now.
I think it was these stories, especially the fact that I did have new problems as an older baby, that strengthened my resolve to get DS's sorted, albeit belatedly.
I'll definitely keep you updated OP!
Tongue tie done today!
I'm not sure how you're thinking of getting your DC's done, OP, but we went for a laser revision combined with cranial osteopathy. On the NHS, my DS is too 'old' for a quick snip with a pair of scissors. My HV referred him to an ENT, but told me the procedure would have to be done under a general anaesthetic (major drawback no. 1) and then when I got the appointment letter, I decided I most certainly didn't want to wait until JANUARY to see if his problems sort themselves out. Also, I'm not convinced the NHS would agree to do it because his problems are not severe enough to justify putting a six month old under anaesthetic, which is fair enough, and the problems he has only might be sorted by a TT revision - there isn't a good probability that they will, again making a procedure under a GA unjustifiable.
Added to which, the medical establishment are not by and large convinced by the implications of tongue tie, mainly because evidence remains largely anecdotal rather than empirical so, to be on the safe side, they do have to be conservative in their approach until the body of evidence exists for them to be more enthusiastic in their response to the issue.
So, we went private with a dentist who specialises in the treatment, using a laser rather than a pair of scissors, not using anaesthetic, and uses an approach combined with cranial osteopathy. I have to confess that, being part of the medical establishment myself, I am highly sceptical about the benefits of cranial osteopathy but appreciate an holistic approach to things, so kept an open mind, and had a session both before and after the procedure as recommended by the dentist. As I am desperate to do something about DS's godawful sleep, I will also be doing the recommended follow-up sessions with the osteopath as in addition to the tongue tie after-care, they reckon it will do something about his sleep. It won't do any harm, and if it does good, it will be worth every penny.
So the bit you actually want to know about As anticipated, it was more traumatic for me and DH than it was for DS. We weren't allowed in the room while they were doing the procedure so that we didn't get upset (very greatly appreciated!) and the staff were really lovely as they're obviously used to scared parents. The building was big enough that we couldn't hear a thing while they were doing it thank the good lord and all of creation as I was sitting there sobbing enough as it was. We took DS down and put him on the dentist's chair, then he was brought up to us no more than five minutes later - probably even less. I won't lie - there was a lot of blood on his face and it was trickling out of both sides of his mouth, but since he was beaming hugely 
at the dental nurse carrying him, it obviously wasn't exactly bothering him! Added to which, my DS is a little sprinkler when he cries, and it keeps going for sometime afterwards. There wasn't a tear on his face or even incriminating blotchiness so, I'm sure he did cry, but not the pain/tearful cry we get with his vaccinations. They said his was the thickest tongue tie they've done, and it extended a long way back, so they took a bit longer than they ordinarily would, plus released a lip tie, and DS was still a little trooper. He went straight onto the boob when he came in - stopping intermittently to grin up at me with his gory face while he continued to bleed copiously on my boob - and was fast asleep about five minutes later.
The bleeding stopped within a couple of hours, and probably would have stopped sooner if he didn't keep shoving his hands into his mouth up to the elbow. I do think he's uncomfortable when he feeds because he'll start to latch then spring back whimpering (OK, screaming a bit) so I'm keeping on top of the Calpol and hand expressing to stimulate a let-down for him which definitely made him a bit happier.
If you are getting it done by a lactation consultant or via the NHS some other way, they probably won't tell you to do follow up massage/stretches, which are important to stop the tie from re-attaching. The dentist showed us how to do an easy massage of the revised areas, but is certainly a lot less intense about the need to do follow-up stretches/massage than many on the FB group seem to be. is a link to how to do the massage/stretches in the likely event you won't have them shown/advised to you when your DC's is done. The dentist said to do them at least once a day, but felt the fact that DS is still exclusively BFed, and often, means he gets more than adequate mobilisation of his tongue. I think I'll probably do them about three times per day to minimise the chance of having to do it again.
Right - I hope that wasn't too long winded, but I thought I'd put everything down that I would like to have known before going in! 
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