Help! Post-tongue tie feeding

[Prim0422]

Hi everyone, first time mum here looking for some friendly reassurance/advice really. (Sorry for long ramble!!)

My DS is just over 2 weeks old and we have been having a challenging time breastfeeding.The first few days my nipples became extremely painful, cracked and bleeding, despite theMW looking at his latch andsaying it looked fine. We were also getting plenty of wet and dirty nappies and all other signs of a good latch were there apart from the pain! After 2 episodes of weight loss (Day 5 and Day 10) he was diagnosed with a tongue tie and we were also advised to top up each feed with formula to get his weight up. I was devastated (partially hormones!!) asI'd been really trying hard with the feedingand felt awful that he'd continued to lose weight. My OH and I decided to get the tongue tie snipped privately and had a MW come to the house to do the separation,which was finewith barely any fuss or crying!

This was now a week ago and I guess my naive expectations was that everything would miraculously be resolved immediately but we are still having issues. Although the nipple pain has significantly reduced my main concerns are:

• LO constantly wants to feed and is quite unsettled unless he is feeding.

• despite wanting to feed all the time he nearly always falls asleep on the boob and I'm constantly having to wake him up to continue his feed. He very rarely actively comes off the boob

• He will feed for a LONG time (easily 30-40 mins on each side) with me constantly having to nudge him throughout

• sometimes (mainly in the evenings) he really fusses at the nipple (it looks like he is trying to take it in his mouth but something is preventing him and he then gets frustrated and throws his head around alot) and I'm constantly having to reattach him throughout the feed

I am mainly worried thathe's not getting enough and my milk supply still hasn't been stimulated enough despite having the TT treated now.

Just wondering if there are any mums out there with similar experiences, in particular with feeding after TT treatment?? I know I probably need to give it time and persevere but it's so difficult not to over-worry (literally about everything!!)

TIA,

Nervous FTM x

I could have written your post almost word for word

DDs TT was cut at 8 weeks (after several HCPs saying she didn't have one) and I would say it took several weeks for feeding to improve. It will happen, I promise.

Sounds like your baby is cluster feeding which is exhausting but totally normal. The sleepiness at that age is also totally normal - strip them off, change nappy, tickle them and do lots of skin to skin. It's frustrating, for sure, but will definitely end as baby 'wakes up'. DD is now very alert and distracted while feeding instead!

Definitely find a local breastfeeding group - you'll meet mums, peer supporters and often lactation consultants. They can offer support, advice and a friendly ear.

We still do formula top ups (I've never been able to express much) but after about 12 weeks DDs weight stabilised and feeding got easier as she got stronger. Also, on a positive note, it's helpful she'll take a bottle so I can be away from her for a couple of hours without worrying she'll go hungry.

Good luck, you'll get there whatever path you choose.

ps. I know 12weeks sounds like forever away but it isn't. I was on the brink of quitting bf daily from week 1 (esp when DD was readmitted to hospital due to weight loss) and we're still chugging along at 17 weeks.

Sore nipples first time are par for the course. There are creams from the chemist which help with the pain until it settles in a couple of weeks, eg

www.boots.com/lansinoh-hpa-lanolin-nipple-cream-1-x-40ml-10153449

I breastfed my first son, without a tongue tie and the first two weeks of feeding were painful and sore, so I think tongue tie or not a certain amount is to be expected. It does get better though, by week 3 things had vastly improved.
I'm now feeding my 6 week old, who had quite a bad tongue tie snipped at 3 weeks. In ways it's better, in ways it isn't and sadly we have been 're referred to clinic for 're assessment and possible 're snip.
Keep going, things still need time to settle, baby still needs to learn the ropes and is still very little. Don't be afraid to 're latch if baby is causing discomfort or pain and seek advice help from a breastfeeding group or lactation consultant. It can improve though and you're already doing such a wonderful job.
I second the waking them up by stripping them off and ticking etc. Lots of skin to skin too.
I'm here if you need someone to talk to or want to ask any questions, I'm no expert but I know how hard it can be

Thank you so much for your lovely replies - it's so nice to hear such kind and encouraging words from people who have had similar experiences - can make all the difference when you're in the deepest of despair!!
Definitely need to give it time and accept we will have good feeds and bad ones. Also going to a support group this week which I hope will help.
Thanks again lovely mums xx

I hope you find the group helpful, it makes all the difference talking with other mums when it otherwise can feel very lonely. The good feeds give me hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel, I hope they do the same for you too xx