Crap crap crap I need to rant!

[Twattybollocks]

Following on from the tongue tie/thrush saga I've had in the 2.5 weeks since dd was born, just fed dd, thought I had a half decent latch for once, only slightly painful rather than bloody agony. Nipples still flattened, lipstick with white stripes down the sides when she came off, but I now have a new misery, a crack has opened up at the base of the nipple where it joins the areola and it's now stinging like a bastard.
Was hoping to get the tongue tie looked at this week, but I don't know if I want to put dd through having it clipped. Logically I know that it's best for her if she has breast milk, but emotionally i don't know if I can face it. Im stressed and anxious enough as it is, maternal guilt is a terrible thing! Damned if I do, damned if I don't I guess.
I never thought I would say it but I'm really considering pumping and bottle feeding it, I know it's a lot harder but I don't feel like I have much option right now.
Dont want this to come across the wrong way, it's not about the formula, it's not about the bottle, it's about me wanting to feed her myself and not being able to do it that's making me sad.

Oh dear, sounds like a tough start :( For the nipple I would air dry and use lanisoh and yes perhaps express if you can off that side to give it chance to heal. Tbh, exclusive expressing sounds like the worst of both worlds to me (but people do do it syccessfully so hats off to them). You have the sterilising etc. plus pumping so just think about that.

If it makes you feel any better 3 of my close friends had their babies TT sorted and a couple at much older ages than your LO so I wouldn't think twice about it. Risk of anything v v small so the benefits by far outweigh it. Sure there are lots on here with advice for you on that.

GL :)

TT is a second to snip and I was so nervous when we had DS done but he was so much better afterwards. They don't even feel it and there is no blood or anything.

From a mum who expressed and bottle fed for 12 weeks before introducing some formula to mix feed it is the worst of all worlds. I did it as I was desperate to give him breast milk and he would not latch. It is ridiculously hard work though so you need to be prepared for that.

I had my ds tt snipped at about 10 days. It was upsetting at the time, but in the scheme if things not something I regret or fret about now. It meant the world to me to bf, I was very determined and perhaps a little irrational. You must do what feels right, and don't feel guilty if you decide enough is enough its completely your choice. I endured a few torturous weeks in the early days but once it was sorted and the wounds had healed we didn't look back. It can be an overwhelming emotional urge to bf I understand that stopping would be very tough. Good luck.

Tongue tie doesn't just effect breast feeding ability, but can have an impact on future speech and dental health.

Re the crack - would second lanisoh. And plenty of airing.

I've had a similar experience to you OP. My DD is 2.5 weeks old too and had her tongue tie snipped last Weds. It took seconds and she really didn't seem that bothered by it. I think the younger they have it done the better. Before that I had badly bleeding and cracked nipples from her poor latch and the only thing that helped were Novogel pads that I had to get from the GP on prescription. They were magic and really sorted out the wounds. Have also had thrush and mastitis and have been on the brink of quitting many times. Since the TT snip I've had much less pain as she learns how to latch properly. After the snip you have to feed them every 2-3 hours or risk it growing back and although I was very daunted by having to do that it's actually been ok. Best of luck :)

I ended up expressing and mix feeding my DD (now 4) for five months because of a poor latch, it was hard work but I'm glad I did it. I had the same issues with my DS, was very upset, but persevered and have now successfully BF for 6 months. He had a tongue tie snipped at a few weeks, was told it was a fairly elastic one so don't know how much of a difference it made. I think the snip was worse for me than him. I know how upset I got over feeding both of them, it takes over everything if there are any problems. I found it hard to believe people when they said it would get easier as my DS (and his mouth) got bigger but I really think it did.

My babies had their TT snipped at 8 days. DTS had never really been able to latch. 15 seconds after the snip and he was latched and fed for a good 15 mins and came off with a lovely milky drunk face. Tiny bit of blood but he is soo much happier already. He's gone from zero BF on Tuesday to having only 30 ml of a top up today. And no more vomiting up blood! My nipples are so much less painful too.

Thanks ladies, it really helps to have the reassurance that the tongue tie snip wasn't overly distressing, my mother has been giving me serious guilt over it which isn't helping!

My LO has had her tongue tie snipped 4 times due to various uncommon issues as she seems to have excessive scar tissue that forms each time. First time 8weeks last time six months butI would not have had it done if it caused her too much distress or pain. She was more distressed by the swaddling but the cuts have all been very quick and painless and feeding within a minute. She then has a good old play with her tongue when she realises its free.

I would not hesitate. A few seconds of discomfort and then they can feed properly, use their tongue, no wind, no being hungry. My DS went from a constantly windy, hungry, crying baby, to a happy and contented one.