Tongue Tie post-division

[Worrysaurus]

3 week old has always had a shallow latch and his posterior TT was divided 6 days ago.

The first feed post-division was blissful - proper latch, clear signs of milk transfer and no nipple pain. Since then, the has reverted to his usual shallow latch, with the exception of one day (day 4), when he latched and fed well. I dread feeds as they result in frustration for him and ridged, painful nipples for me. I know from reading aftercare literature that it generally takes 1-4 weeks for improvements in feeding post-division, but I would have expected a generally positive trend by this stage and I’m disheartened that we don’t seem to be in a hugely different place to before we cut his tie.

I’m currently exhausted from triple feeding and the stresses of trying to pump to protect supply, including several times through the night and making time for a toddler are further impacting my supply. I’ve had to incrementally increase formula supplements now, from about 70ml a day to 150ml a day. I’m happy to combi-feed long term, but don’t want to increase supplements any further, as I really want to breastfeed.

Am working with an IBCLC, but also looking for anecdotal reassurance on how long it took for others to see improvements in latch and feeding after a tongue tie division and how you found the strength to keep going in the meantime.

Anyone able to help?

Can I ask how you got on op? My two week old had her division a few days ago and like you the first feed was lovely but since then the latch is shallow again!

@bk1981 Hello. I’m afraid I’m not the best case study. Unfortunately, for us the latch improved minimally for a couple of weeks and then the tie reattached. We had it snipped again and were much more persistent with osteo and exercises pre- and post- the second division, but unfortunately it reattached again. We’re 14 weeks now and still breastfeeding, as my little one refuses bottles, but feeds are very fussy awake, as he can’t sustain a latch. Oddly, he can sustain a latch when asleep, as the osteopath tells me he has more movement now, so we’re stuck in the frustrating position of dream feeding. I hope in time he outgrows that or accepts a bottle. But I don’t think I’m necessarily a representative sample. I’m told it is very common for the latch to worsen for a couple of weeks, before it improves, as baby re-learns to use their tongue. I really hope that is how the experience plays out for you. Good luck.

I had my babies in 2014 and 2016 and I’m
so heartened to hear that you are both better prepared for the aftermath of TT division than I was. At that time it was billed as a quick cure all (and I think it can be), but for me, the week after was awful each time.

both babies had deep posterior ties, DC1 had his cut at 7 weeks, after waiting for an nhs appointment (DH wouldn’t let the ibclc do it at home). Feeding did improve but it was much worse that first week and I felt like the worst mother in the world.

DC2 was cut in hospital at a couple of days old. Unfortunately the midwife who did it only cut the visible anterior portion and not the whole thing. We had to wait 4 weeks for a re-do, because the first one needed to heal, but the second attempt was better. It did reattach, and I think by 4 months or so he had a very thick, very visible TT, but by that time it wasn’t causing too much damage so I left it. I definitely think it became less of a problem as he grew.

Oh forgot to say, both babies had milk allergies, so I breastfed them both for quite a long time. DC1 weaned when I got pregnant, he was 16 months. DC2 was still feeding in the early hours of the morning until 21 months, having dropped his other feeds gradually over about 4 months previously.

Have you considered using nipple shields? I've had two tongue tied babies and used these both pre division and post division with one of them. I was able to wean off them when baby got a bit bigger. They were a godsend and I couldn't have fed without them (both babies were exclusively breastfed as neither would take a bottle). If you decide to use them just make sure you buy the right size. I hadn't realised until recently that they come in different sizes!

@bk1981 I was also going to suggest a nipple shield. Honestly without it after DS had his TT release I don't know what we would have done. He has his done at 4 days old and I was assured he wouldn't notice and it would be a magic fix. It was not!!!
Thankfully a public health nurse who saw me a few days later said she used nipple shields with all 3 of her children, for the entire bf time.

I was able to get DS off them after about 8 weeks. I have nothing at all against them just they can be annoying.

We tried nipple shields but she couldn't seem to get any milk through them and became very frustrated. I'll keep trying with the latch and hopefully something will fall into place for her soon!