Would a tongue tie be very obvious?

[BootstrapParadox]

DD is 9 weeks old and is still feeding every 1-2 hours. I just wondered if maybe tongue tie could be the reason why? It's not obvious that she has one, but then I'm no expert, so wondered why others thought...

Could be a posterior tongue tie which is more difficult to detect on brief inspection. Took ages to diagnose if in my DS. Can your DD stick her tongue out beyond her lower lip or does it seem not to stretch that far? Best thing is to find a good breastfeeding counsellor to take a look...

No it's not always obvious to look at unless you know how to look and often symptoms are the best guide. That looks a bit suspicious but best to find a good lactation consultant or start at a bf support group at least.

Could well be a posterior tie and sticking tongue out (or not) is no guide unfortunately. What other symptoms are you having? Take a look here - might help you decide as if it is posterior then it can be harder to get it competently diagnosed and treated...so it helps if you have an idea what you're dealing with.

www.mommypotamus.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-diagnosing-tonguelip-ties/

Not saying it isn't TT but just wanted to add that feeding every 1-2 hrs at 9 weeks is completely normal. Don't think any of my dcs stopped this frequency until around 6 months. I know I eat/snack every 1 -2 hrs so appreciate dcs will want to as well.

How does the latch feel? Do you have any nipple soreness? Is baby gaining weight well? Is baby settled between feeds?

Is she gaining weight? DS didn't have tt diagnosed until 11 weeks after he'd been seen by drs and hcps repeatedly for slow weight gain. Eventually got referred to a specialist clinic and they diagnosed him in 10secs and snipped. So it is definitely possible.

Her weight gain is ok, it's started tailing off a bit, but I'm told this is all normal with a bf baby. I can only get her to latch in the rugby ball position, any other way is literally impossible. Even then, when it feels like she is latched well, she pulls off frequently and starts panting like she is trying to catch her breath, or coughing and choking. She can be quite niggly between feeds and makes the signals that she wants feeding (hands to mouth, trying to wiggle down to my boob or latching onto my nose or chin) so dh has to distract her sometimes or I would never have 5 minutes to myself.

I honestly don't know if it is tt, it's just a thought I had, but it doesn't look like the photos on Google images so it probably isn't. Is it maybe worth mentioning to my HV, or would I just look like I'm looking for problems?

Is that picture taken during a full on cry? If so, then yes, tongue tie needs further investigated by someone who knows what they are doing.

what do you mean by tongue tie? why do you think every 1-2 hours is too much, and needs a "reason"?

Yeah the picture was taken mid feed where she unlatched and started crying aka screaming (never did figure out why she was crying then!)

I don't think it necessarily needs a reason, no. But HV did comment last time that 1-2 hours seemed a lot to her and that it should start slowing down, but as it's not, it led me to thinking about tt.

From what you say, coupled with that pic, I would put money on posterior tongue tie! But of course, I could be wrong. Have a look at the Milk Matters website for starters.

From what you say, coupled with that pic, I would put money on posterior tongue tie! But of course, I could be wrong. Have a look at the Milk Matters website for starters.

Ooops, sorry re double post

Are you anywhere near Bucks? There is a fantastic tongue tie and feeding specialist who runs free assessment clinics. Would be worth a call to her even if you're not close by as she might be able to refer you to someone else local to you. My DD had a tongue tie which she sorted and feeding issues resolved in an instant. Breast feeding clinic had been a bit more conservative and less helpful. PM me if you want contact details.

No, nowhere near there unfortunately :( I've asked my HV before about bf counsellors/groups in my area but there aren't any so not sure what the next step is really.

IF it is tt and it goes undiagnosed, other than it possibly affecting breastfeeding, are there any other issues it could lead to?

Yes, there are other issues which can cause problems.
Ds1 went undiagnosed until he was 6yo. He had trouble breathing, eating and sleeping which affected his overall health.
I don't mean to scare you, but if it does turn out to be tongue tie then you need to educate yourself on the subject and push for the appropriate care because the mainstream medics are woefully under informed. Please take my word on that

1-2 hours is normal, but tt can be missed - both my boys had theirs missed despite me asking doctors to check with DS2. Her tongue does look sort of 'tight' in that photo. However, pulling off and choking sounds more like an oversupply issue, have you notice whether your flow is quite fast? Does it help if you express off a little milk before feeding to slow down the flow? Ask again about a bf counsellor, there must be one fairly local. For what it's worth, my boys had theirs spotted so late that we didn't get them snipped as it would have meant that they had to relearn how to latch, and by that stage we'd figured out positions that allowed them to feed comfortably. It has never affected them in any other way, but sometimes can be an issue for speech and feeding in older children, although I would assume only with a severe tie.

Pulling off and choking can be a sign of oversupply, yes, but it is also classic tongue tie behaviour. Also, it is possible for tongue tie and oversupply to be present at the same time.

Yes to the possibility if speech and feeding problems later, but there can be much, much more to it. Ties can affect the entire body.

I'd second mawbroon here - it does sound like tt and it needs to be checked out properly. Please persevere and try to get referred to see someone knowledgable. Breastfeeding is just one issue - it can lead to problems with feeding and speech amongst many other things. There's a couple of fb groups - infant tongue tie UK, Ireland and Europe and Tongue Tie Babies Support Group (the latter quite US focused). You could ask in these for ideas about where to go? There's also info if you browse the posts on how tt can affect older children and adults too.

Some suggestions for help...
la leche league? Is there one locally?
Breastfeeding helpline www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding-help/breastfeeding-support/
Private lactation consultant - www.lcgb.org

Bit hard to see from your picture but might also be worth checking out upper lip tie - they can come together. My dd had both, the tongue tie snip helped a lot but she still got really tired feeding because she couldn't flip her top lip up, it also made it uncomfortable for me (sort of a bit sharp and nippy even before teeth) and she fed really frequently. Good luck!