Tongue Tie Snip - give bottle?

[Bunny2021]

Our 6wo baby had his tongue tie snip earlier. Prior to the snip we were feeding him both boob and bottle (expressed milk). His latch is already much better but he’s been inconsolable at times and I’m worried he’s not had enough milk.

We were advised to breastfeed only for 24 hours. However, could we give him a small top up feed on a bottle just to ensure he has enough?

I was in a similar situation with my little one. It took us 4-5 weeks to completely drop the top up (expressed) bottle. We just gave him less as a top up as the weeks went on. He then breastfed until 22 months and wouldn’t entertain a bottle at all!

I'd stick with what you were advised. There will be a reason for it.

Advice does vary though. If you do decide to give a bottle, use paced bottle feeding techniques and also try to provide a tiny little bit of resistance when he's sucking. So hold the bottle lightly between the tip of your finger and the tip of your thumb and give it an almost imperceptible tug. To make your baby have to suck strongly to keep it in his mouth. This techniques supports his sucking practise following a TT devision. You know your baby best so if you think he's hungry, you can top up with your expressed milk. I'm aware 24 hours has gone by since you posted this! How are you getting on?

Also, do be aware that it is normal for things to take between 2 and 4 weeks to get to perfectly effective breastfeeding, following a snip. So please don't be disheartened if things don't improve massively straightaway x

Thank you everyone for the comments.

We ended up having to give him a couple of bottles as I had a migraine and just couldn’t function.

@Somethingsnappy - thanks for letting me know. I’ve heard so many people say it was instantaneous for them and I’ve been feeling quite disheartened as he’s still not latching correctly. I’m going to have another appointment with the infant feeding team to follow up so hoping we can get there! x

How's it going today OP?

As for the latch, I suggest getting back to basics like a newborn, with lots of skin to skin etc. have you tried/do you know much about biological nurturing, otherwise known as laid back breastfeeding?

Another tip is to have your baby nap on you so that you are skin to skin just as they are waking up. Their instincts may well kick in when they are sleepy and the effects of skin to skin help the correct hormones to drive a good latch x

P. S. Absolutely don't be disheartened that the effect hadn't been instant. It can be sometimes, but it's much more usual to take a couple of weeks, with gradual improvement along the way. They have to relearn how to use their tongue.

Similar story here. LO is 4 weeks old and had the snip last week. Before that he was bottle fed (both formula and expressed milk). I spoke to a maternity nurse and a lactation consultant referred by HV. Both told me "you can't stop the bottle immediately... probably can reduce the top up by half in a week's time". My supply is low as we have never successfully established breastfeeding since birth. So now I breastfeed him at the beginning of each session and then give formula top up. And to be honest, it's been half a week gone, he is still taking the same amount of formula top up. I doubt I could ever reduce the amount of formula.