To breast feed if it's causing DS pain or discomfort?

[QueenAmongstMen]

I have a 6 week old baby and at Day 7 I had him assessed for Tongue Tie because feeding was horrendous and at Day 9 he had it snipped.

Feeding was pain free following the division but I've continued to have problems on one breast with poor attachment, clicking noises, milk leaking out the side of his mouth and lots of spluttering. His feeding on the other breast still isn't perfect but pretty close.

Due to being 5 weeks post Tongue-tie repair and still having these problems I had him reassessed three days ago and after lots of discussion, reassessment of his sucking abilities and observing feeds the woman said the problems I'm having aren't related to his tongue tie and in her opinion it's because he has a misalignment of his neck. He has always tilted his head to the left and she said it's very common in c-section babies, which is how DS was delivered. She advised I see a Chiropractor or someone who performs cranial osteopathy in order to correct his neck positioning.

It is likely that breast feeding is uncomfortable for him due to him being unable to feed in the correct position and having to twist his neck in an unnatural position for him and I can see that this makes sense as DS has never comfort fed and unless he's hungry he will not go to the breast. His feeds are often very quick and it's like he sees them as nothing but a food supply and he wants to get the job done as quickly as possible.

I will be contacting the Chiropractor tomorrow and it's usually a week wait for the initial consultation and then weekly sessions with most necks being corrected in three sessions.

I was talking to my brother about it this evening and he basically said I'm being cruel to continue breast feeding if it's causing discomfort and I should just "put him on the bottle." I explained I was intending to get the misalignment corrected and within a month things should be fine but he said that a month is a long time to go if I'm causing DS discomfort.

His comments were quite upsetting actually as I had never considered myself to be doing anything wrong by DS by intending to continue breast feeding him.

Aside from the feeding difficulties mentioned above DS appears settled at the breast and doesn't seem to be in pain or discomfort hence my plan to just carry on breast feeding alongside having treatment but my brother has made me doubt myself now.

Is continuing to breast feed for the next month really such a bad thing? Even if it's slightly uncomfortable until treatment is complete it's no different to what he's used to anyway, and surely the benefits of him being able to breast feed correctly after the treatment outweigh the ease of just putting him on bottles instead?

Has anyone else been in a situation like this?

I think that's a good idea - and do just make a nuisance of yourself with the GP if not.

Are there any signs at all that your DS's weight gain is tailing off or that he's not getting enough milk? If yes, have you tried breast compressions while feeding him to help get more milk out? Id never heard of them with DS but DD had a tongue tie and they really helped until it got snipped - the faster milk flow helped compensate for a bad latch. Won't work if you are stuck using both hands to latch him though. For alternative support, have you tried your local La Leche League group in your area - ours has a Facebook page to contact the leaders?

I suspect neither of those is going to be very helpful suggestions, but you have my sympathy. Having breastfed successfully I'd be feeling exactly the same way you are about struggling this much with it. If you reach the end of your patience, remember neither expressing nor giving formula to get over a bad patch matter long term.

Thanks panda. Today has been a very draining one, I just feel lost and confused and don't know what to do for the best.

DS was born on the 91st percentile and continues to be between the 75th-91st centiles each time he's weighed. He was weighed a week ago by my HV and she suggested fortnightly weights just for reassurance.

Feeding has been pretty poor this evening and DS is now asleep. I expect him to wake up at about 11pm so I shall see how he is then.

I have emailed the Infant Feeding Co-ordinator this evening, telling her about all the problems I've had since Day 1 and to ask if she has any advice for me or if she can point me in the right direction as to where to go from here.

Deep down I know there's nothing wrong with formula or expressed breast milk but the majority of my family are anti BF anyway and have always been quite negative and judgemental about my decision to breast feed (they were the same when I had my first son) so I can't be doing with all the "I told you so" type comments if I looked towards alternative feeding methods

For what it's worth, as long as he is doing OK weight wise I'd be persisting the same as you. It might be causing him some discomfort at the moment, but as well as the health benefits of breastfeeding for him bottle feeding can bring its own problems - e.g. my friends who switched to mixed feeding found reflux / sickness and constipation worse. Bottles won't necessarily make for a happier baby now, and in the long term they can get so much comfort from breastfeeding - other than painkillers it's the only thing that helps DD aged 11 months who is teething badly. They develop so quickly at your DS's age that just because he's finding it hard now doesn't mean he will in a couple of weeks. Maybe focus on getting through the next week and if it's still no better after the osteopath then reassess?

Stop listening to your brother. You are best-placed to know what your baby needs. It sounds to me like this is a big bump in the road that you need to get past to have a wonderful time breastfeeding your baby. Some babies don't comfort nurse (my third didn't for 2 months and then he started after he got a cold and struggled to settle at night). Some are also very fast feeders. I think you did the right thing speaking with a lactation consultant and wonder if it would settle your mind more to speak with her again. I think you would know if you needed to stop breastfeeding your little baby. You don't. You've got this. It's none of your brother's business - don't discuss it with him again. Xx

Things have still been a big iffy overnight, reluctant to feed and then only having short ones but he's fed a bit better this morning.

I have heard back from the Infant Feeding co-ordinator and she's going to call me this afternoon to discuss some of my problems.

My brother is visiting this afternoon so I will be sure to tell him to back off if he starts giving me advice again...

Good luck. You know your baby xxx

I don't want to get into a debate about alternative therapies but there is plenty of evidence to support osteopathy.

www.fpo.org.uk/7-clues-baby-feeding-problem/ Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy in London trains osteopaths and ideally you should try to see someone who has the additional DPO (Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy) in addition to their initial qualification.

The feeling issues and high palette can lead to digestion issues and dental issues later so ironing out any stresses now is a really good idea. If you want to PM me, I can see if I know anyone in your area as it is important to be seen by someone with the right skills and experience.

The osteopath may ask you to feed during the treatment, though this is not always necessary. I have a number of anecdotes of my own regarding osteopathy and I have seen significant improvements from treatments, feeding issues, sleeping issues, croup, asthma, scoliotic tendencies, gait issues, otitis, glue ear.

Quote from a paper on PubMed. Cranial osteopathy is gaining recognition as a successful treatment for a range of conditions, and has shown to be especially useful when dealing with instances of breastfeeding problems resulting from birth trauma. This paper explores the therapy in detail, its relationship to breastfeeding problems, raises suggestions as to how it could be applied to clinical practice, and outlines the need for further research.

Forgiveness - a link to the website that promotes osteopathy is not 'evidence'. Type 'evidence cranial osteopathy' into google. These are on the first page. I'm sure there are more if you carry on scrolling through the pages.

www.badscience.net/2004/09/cranial-osteopathy/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1564028/
sciencebasedmedicine.org/cranial-manipulation-and-tooth-fairy-science/
journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0167823

OP - I think you should go back to the GP. See a different one if possible. You're clearly very distressed about your DS's feeding and you deserve to be listened to. Even if your fears are groundless, then there may be something else going on with your emotional wellbeing that needs sorting out.

Some babies are a bit shit at feeding - mine took bloody ages to get the hang of it

I've just spoken to the Infant Feeding Co-Ordinator where I had DS and told her about the tongue tie and the feeding problems that I've been having and that concerns that have been raised regarding his neck alignment.

She then told me that she herself has just completed her TT training and is starting up her own business in January. She said she 100% believes that Osteopathy can help with feeding difficulties and she's actually partnered up with an Osteopath in her business who has a special interest in the encouragement of breast feeding.

She was really positive about the fact I'm seeing one on Monday and thinks I will definitely see positive results. DS's feeding has been a bit better over the last 24 hours but it's still hit and miss so I'm hoping with some Osteopathy things will really improve. I feel really reassured now!!

Fingers crossed for Monday.

Queen that's now two people in the medical field who have suggested osteopathy to you personally. Please listen to them and not anonymous naysayers on MN. Good luck!