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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Heartbroken - tongue tie snip seems to have made things worse

13 replies

EllaRees · 19/08/2010 14:40

I'm absolutely heartbroken - we had my 3 week old's tongue tie snipped yesterday and he now won't latch on at all. We had been muddling along with a bit of soreness and two bottles of expressed milk within 24 hours to top up and I thought this would get us over the final - he didn't seem too bothered by the actual snip but now no matter how hard he tries, he can't latch on - there's just no suction there. The person who did the procedure said it hasn't happened before and I am just devastated - I feel like I can't comfort him and like i'm not really his mother. Has anyone else had this problem and recovered from it?

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 19/08/2010 14:43

whereabouts are you? have you seen a breastfeeding counsellor?

Jazmyn · 19/08/2010 14:45

maybe it's sore and he'll get sucking in a few days? or maybe its changed how he has to suck, he might have to relearn?

I dont have any actual experience with tongue tie so feel free to ignore me, just giving my thoughts.... I'd keep persevering he may well figure it out for himself soon, babys are clever little things when it comes to eating! :-)

good luck!!

Original poster

EllaRees · 19/08/2010 14:53

i'm in north london and saw a really good lac cons who referred us. i'm sure it was right advice as the other parents all went home relieved and with bf babies - just us struggling. ,maybe it is sore - just worried he'll not recover in time to get going again :-(

OP posts:

lizzytee · 19/08/2010 14:56

OP, would suggest that you need urgent, RL skilled breastfeeding support to assist - is there a support group in your area, or try the helplines? Also, even if you have been "discharged" by community midwifery you are still entitled to ask for help from them. I would also venture that it isn't particularly helpful of the person who did the division to say "umm, haven't seen this before" without offering anything more constructive - what other support can they offer, or can you go back to the person who referred you?

It might be worth considering biological nurturing, perhaps seeing if leaning back can help your lo deepen his latch?

HTH

thisisyesterday · 19/08/2010 18:44

i have to say i would not give bottles, but just keep offering the breast frequently.
he CAN do it, i'm sure, it might just feel different.

MamaChris · 19/08/2010 19:06

When ds had his tongue tie snipped (at 6 weeks), I do remember it took a couple of days of feeding being even more awkward than before until it settled. I know that's not the same as your situation, but perhaps it will give you some hope that this hurdle might be temporary?

I would echo lizzytee though, with a 3 week old who is not feeding I think you should seek some RL support. Can you contact the lac cons?

Wholelottalove · 20/08/2010 23:00

Not same situation but DD had tongue tie snipped at 10 weeks and as she was older and had learnt to get her milk by kind of chomping at my boob she had to learn to suck properly. We did exercises to stick our tongues out and down at her to help her mimic and learn to stick her tongue out properly. I seem to remember she had a white patch under her tongue for a few days which looked sore, but after about 1-2 days didn't seem too bothered by it. I know your DC is younger, but just wanted to add my support. Echo what everyone else has said about getting some support IRL. Hope things work out ok for you.

yousaidit · 20/08/2010 23:11

op, i do hope you can resolve this, other posters indicate that you can work through it. my ds had tongue tie snipped and he absolutely had no idea, it seemed, how to latch or feed after he had it done, and we bottle fed expressed milk while i managed to provide expressed milk before using ff. so in response to your question, yes, th eprocedure did afect my dc, but he is now happy cheerful and has a hefty apppetite on him! Do hope you get things sorted however makes you happy

Original poster

EllaRees · 21/08/2010 11:03

Thanks everyone - still no luck despite speaking to two very good LCs. they both suggested nipple shields so i've tried a couple of times but he still just won't suck properly. not sure i am doing it correctly so am looking for videos online.

OP posts:

wifeofdoom · 21/08/2010 11:12

Not a positive post - but a true one. My DD had a tongue tie and couldn't latch - she had it snipped at 6 days and still wouldn't latch despite loads of help from counsellors etc. I expressed for 4 weeks and bottle fed, then had to admit defeat and go to ff. Good luck and hope you get past it - but if you can't then don't beat yourself up about it- my dd is 2 and absolutely fine, and we are as close as can be!

roomforthree · 21/08/2010 11:34

Ds2 had his tongue tie snipped late, and refused to feed for about 5 days. I expressed and fed with a syringe. Finally managed to get him to latch by starting off with a syringe and then putting him to the breast with the syringe in the corner of his mouth.

Was a truly hellish few days, but once he started to feed again, the improvement in latch was amazing. He self-weaned at about 18 months.

Hope you can resolve this problem quickly.

bubbahubba · 21/08/2010 11:35

hi
try seeing another LC - biological nurturing position? lots of skin2skin / get in the bath with the baby and try to do a feed there.

SpeedyGonzalez · 21/08/2010 11:41

Ella - contact the NCT helpline, I'm sure there will be someone who can help. Also call the midwives/ paediatrician. This can't be the first such outcome of tongue-tie snip, someone will be able to help. Speak to a person, it will be much more effective that way. Good luck!

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