Tongue Tie Support Thread?

[Wholelottalove]

I've noticed a lot of posters recently in this topic whose babies have tongue ties or possible tongue ties and thought it might be good to have a place to share information/stories/support.

Both my babies have had posterior tongue ties divided at 8 and 4 weeks and whilst I went on to feed DD happily for 10 months things are still not 100% with DS (now 10 weeks) although much better than they were. In my experience many HCPs do not recognise TT or the problems it can pose for BF in particular.

To kick off, here are a couple of links I found helpful:

Info for parents on Unicef website: www.babyfriendly.org.uk/items/resource_detail.asp?item=439

UK locations where tongue tie can be divided:
www.babyfriendly.org.uk/items/resource_detail.asp?item=440

NHS exaggerated latch leaflet (see page 10) this seems to help get a better latch:

www.sunderland.nhs.uk/admin/mopil/pdf/20060405104105.pdf

Kellymom page on tongue tie:

www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bfhelp-tonguetie.html

Please feel free to add your resources/experiences/questions/comments. :)

I know this is a really old thread but I'm wondering if my five month old has tt. We've had problems with breastfeeding since the beginning. Scores of HCPs have told us it is most likely to be positioning, many without seeing me breastfeed. I've been beating myself up about not holding my ds properly for five months.

It is only recently that I've started to question this. I actually think we are ok at positioning, having put über amounts of work into that and latching on since the first week. I've still got really sore nipples that are compressed to a wedge shape after feeds. We've really struggled with wind, hiccups and reflux type symptoms. These have always been dismissed by all the HCPS I've asked for help as 'he'll grow out of it'. But he hasn't. We've recently tried infant gaviscon but it hasn't made any difference.

Anyway, I don't mean to whine. I really just was wondering if five months is too late to fix ds's tt, if that is what it is? And if we do get it fixed then is it too late to help him breastfeed better? And finally any ideas on who might be able to help with this in Devon. Although we could travel further afield if I thought it might help.

There's a Facebook support group here. Loads of knowledgeable people there. You can post photos and explanation of symptoms and they'll make suggestions. Milk Matters lactation consultants have a virtual tongue tie helpline - costs £26 and they'll give you advice about whether it sounds likely and how to get the best local help.

IIRC the NICE guidelines say that for babies more than 'a few months old' a general anaesthetic should be used. However, there are 2 private dentists in the UK who do laser revisions which don't require a GA. One is in north London - the other probably way too far in Huddersfield. I think there are providers who do revisions up to 10-12 months without a GA (depending on the individual circumstances).

Thank you!

Wanted to revive this thread as I see a few tongue tie threads on the go at the moment and there is some useful info on it.

My 8wo DD is getting her posterior tt snipped tomorrow - really it's a last ditch attempt to improve things and I'm already prepared to switch to ff if not

Some info on tongue-tie and also scissors v. laser corrections:

www.kiddsteeth.com/articles/ttfactssheet.pdf

www.drghaheri.com/blog/2014/2/15/how-to-examine-a-baby-for-tongue-tie-or-lip-tie

drghaheri.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/22/rethinking-tongue-tie-anatomy-anterior-vs-posterior-is-irrelevant

Tongue-tie in adults:
www.regonline.com/custImages/340000/340403/FailuretoTreatTonguetieImplicationsOvertheLifeCycle2.pdf

www.drghaheri.com/blog/2014/3/6/how-does-an-upper-lip-tie-affect-breastfeeding

I hope that helps!

Hi ladies, just wanted to resurect this thread if possible, as i've found it really useful to read through (will have a look to see if anymore up to date ones i've missed).

My question is to those who've had their baby snipped, is it always a really obvious tie when you look for it? Been to a lactation consultant this morning and she thinks baby has one, but when me and DH (who is a GP) look at home, we just cannot see anything. She has a lot of the symptoms though...

I have been referred but haven't heard anything yet. The problem is getting worse as she wants to feed constantly and her latch is not as good as it used to be. Her tt is really obvious but she was ok with it for the first 2 weeks. She is almost 5 weeks now.

Hi BettyJudy,

If you have a look at some of the links I posted above you'll find an article by Dr Ghageri on anterior and posterior ties. Posterior (or more accurately; submucosal) can be invisible. Most ties have an element of posterior/submucosal tie which is why many dentists/doctors recommend laser over scissors as snipping with scissors is unlikely to divide the restricted tissue enough. Hope that helps

www.drghaheri.com/blog/2014/2/15/how-to-examine-a-baby-for-tongue-tie-or-lip-tie

This shows how to accurately examine for a tie (hint: poking the tongue out is irrelevant!).

Ooh thank you so much leggings going to read through now

Great idea OP. This is a huge issue! There is a course to train midwives to diagnose and carry out TT division in Southampton. NHS could save a fortune in speech and language if they had a couple of people trained. Agree with PPs with difficulty getting it taken seriously if baby is gaining weight.

OP can you please share deep latch link. The one posted didn't work.