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Infant feeding

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

10 day old with tongue tie real problems breastfeeding HELP!

7 replies

missced · 14/09/2010 20:55

DS was born by caesarean 10 days ago, and it took a full week for my milk to come through. I religiously put him to the breasts but to no avail,- becoming frustrated that there was no milk available. He was so hungry by this stage there was no choice but to supplement with formula whilst still in hospital. On returning home, after a day or so my milk came through, but still shattered from a 3 day induction and no rest in hospital I was so disappointed when he didn't latch on to my breast. I tried all the positions, and got the help of 4 midwives and 2 breastfeeding advisers in hospital, so feel I did my best. On the rare occasions he sucks more than 5 or 6 times it is very painful. I am still persevering, but having to give DS the vast majority of his nutrition via formula through a bottle which is designed to be more like the natural feeding mechanism of the breast, as I am trying to minimise confusion. I have been trying to express milk but fear my already small supply is dwindling - yesterday I couldn't get anything out at all. Yesterday DS was diagnosed with tongue tie, which makes sense of everything which has been happening - he can't latch on properly to the breast. I have been given advice on the procedure and am now confused as to whether or not I should have it done (it would be done by Mr Patel at Kings College Hospital London). Basically I am told that it may help with breastfeeding, but won't be necessary if I decide to bottle feed. It has been such a struggle so far - what if I decide to have the procedure but my milk dries up anyway? I have been trying so hard and feel so disappointed that I am not giving my baby what he needs - but what if the procedure doesn't work? Or what if I don't get it done, and in several years' time it is apparent DS has a speech impediment? I am so in two minds about what to do, I would greatly appreciate the advice of anyone who has been through this.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 14/09/2010 21:05

i would have it done. it's so quick and simple. i can't see any downside to it personally.
ds2 had his snipped at 3 weeks and it was fabulous

i would reallyh, really, really recommend that you see a breastfeeding counsellor ythough, who can give advice on getting baby back on the breast.

whereabouts are you?

missced · 14/09/2010 21:17

I am in SE3, and can get the referral pretty quickly - I just need to make my mind up....I guess there is no downside.....

OP posts:
blackcurrants · 14/09/2010 21:32

I had DS done at about 10 days and have never looked back. Get it done - he won't remember it 2 minutes after it's done, there's no downside even if you don't go on to BF. and there must be a way for you to BF - people re-lactate after months off boob! Talk to LLL maybe? And keep pumping if he's not sucking, until you can get that snip.

BertieBotts · 14/09/2010 21:36

Yes, do get it done - it's really quick and simple and as well as improving breastfeeding it could prevent eating and/or speech problems etc later on.

I think that the benefits of breastfeeding, the immunity etc, really outweigh a tiny second of a tongue tie being snipped - honestly, it will hurt much less than a vaccination :) Also, interesting fact; decades ago, midwives used to keep one fingernail specially sharpened for the purpose of severing tongue tie, it was that routine!

Wheelybug · 14/09/2010 21:37

I had dd2 snipped at 10 weeks. I hadn't been able to b/f dd1 so assumed the pain was normal. I was, apparently, lucky that my supply was so good that dd hadn't had to make much effort feeding but her weight was slow to go on.

The pain went within a day or two and so presumably she found feeding easier.

We decided though that even if it hadn't helped feeding it was better to get it done when she could have a local rather than find out there were problems later and need a bigger procedure. Its so quick and dd was more upset by the routine jabs she had the day before.

Good luck (and don't beat yourself up if you end up bottle feeding).

thisisyesterday · 14/09/2010 21:40

there is a list of La Leche League groups here

and specifically the SE London one here

bubbahubba · 14/09/2010 22:39

i would get it done. mine had it too and got his snipped at 6 days. i did ttavel down to southampton but i believe there is a lady called ann dobson in london who does it and tracels to you (a friend of mine used her).she is a lactation consultant and is insured to snip

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