Tongue tie. Biting baby

[Eimi]

Hiya, I'm at my wit's end. Our four week old has had trouble feeding from the beginning - we used shields to begin with but he gulped so much air and vomited every feed.

We found out 2 weeks in that he had a tongue tie and had the operation but it hasn't made any difference - he bites instead of suckles and makes my nipples bleed. It's excruciating. It's compounded by the shape of his mouth (shape of pallet), and a small mouth which he can't open very wide. Has anyone had the experience of a baby that bites to feed? My nipples are pinched and squashed at the end of a feed and it's so painful it actually makes me see stars! We've tried so many different things and I am reassured by midwives that we've got the latch as good as we can get it.

I just don't know how long I can bear it - night feeds go on for hours with both baby and mum screaming and crying :-(

He has no incentive not to bite as he can get enough milk with his current method - I just don't know how to teach him not to bite and to suck instead. His tongue has been released and he can do it physically....

Has anyone had any success with this problem? Any advice v. welcome!

[LizzieLou3]

So sorry to hear you're having a tough time. I've heard that sometimes babies bite to slow down the flow?

[curlykale]

Firstly are you sure the tongue has been fully released...they can reattach and require further revision or be inadequate released in the first place. Worth checking as you are still experiencing signs of tt.

Secondly it sounds like your baby needs osteopathic treatment. TT causes tension in the head, neck, chest area and osteo in conjunction with releasing the tie is important. It should help a wider gape and a better latch.

Are the midwives specialists at breastfeeding? I'd be keen to get another opinion on the tt and the latch. Can you see an ibclc (lcgb.org) or find a la leche league or breastfeeding group near you? They can check the tt and probably recommend an osteopath.

[Eimi]

Great, thanks, I don't think it's reattached as we have been doing the post-op massages ever since op. We've seen a cranial osteopath a few times and it hasn't made a difference. Been trying different BF groups and am seeing a lactation consultant ... but I can't find anyone who has had the same experience of biting instead of sucking :-(

[McBaby]

I had the same issue with dd1 constant biting as sucking was impossible for her. The first tongue tie op did not completely severe the tie so a second was required as the tongue function was still so restricted.

[curlykale]

Hmm, tricky, but the biting sensation really sounds like there's still some tie as gumming the nipple is a classic symptom (I've done post op exercises and we still ended up with scar tissue that needed revision . So it's not a dead cert that they prevent reattachment...or if the revision wasn't complete like McBaby says then obviously that would give the same problem). I'd suggest a second opinion from another LC or maybe get someone at the bf group to examine him. Check the link below on how to examine-should be done with head in lap, facing away from the examiner.

Or check here and see if you can look yourself www.mommypotamus.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-diagnosing-tonguelip-ties/