Tongue Tie - any suggestions? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Tongue Tie - any suggestions?

332
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 09:23

Hi Ladies
My daughter was born 10 days ago and my intention was to breast feed her for at least 3 months before putting her on formula. Soon after delivery, the lactation consultant at City Hospital explained to me that baby had tongue tie. As such, she cannot latch onto my breasts properly nor suckle. This results in lack of milk production as my breasts are not simulated.
When we returned home from the hospital, baby was increasingly frustrated and throwing tantrums when at the breast. I was virtually sitting with her for hours on end just trying to get her to feed. Eventually I realised this could not continue and I also observed that she suffered from painful digestive problems when feeding from the breast due to excessive air swallowing whilst trying to suck. I decided to switch to formula which she has happily accepted and I have been expressing the little milk that is being produced to still try and give her as much breast milk as possible. The good news is that baby weighs more than her birth weight so my instinct was right.
How have others dealt with tongue tie? I am aware there is a doctor in Dubai who performs the snip which may or may not help her. I am also keen to ensure we prevent any speech impediments from developing, I'd also like to resume breast feeding if possible.

TIA
<em>edited by M on 08/07/2011</em>

500
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 21:43
I can only echo the other ladies, get it snipped right away, once you do you may wish to go back to exclusively breastfeeding your daughter so please feel free to get in touch with us at Breastfeeding Q&A http://groups.yahoo.com/group/breastfeedingqa/ I would also recommend you make an appointment with an IBCLC, http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=151781
139
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 16:02
agree with pp- my little brother had his snipped right after he was born!
Anonymous (not verified)
0
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 14:02
sorry to hear about the TT... did the LC not suggest getting it snipped straight away? I would complain if she didn't, it is v well documented that TT seriously hinders successful BF, I would have wanted the TT snipped before leaving hospital!
297
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 13:40
Get it snipped ASAP, as in tomorrow, some doctors will tell you it doesn't affect breastfeeding but there is good evidence in recent medical journals that it does. My son's was done at around 2 weeks old and it was such a simple procedure, a local anesthetic spray and a few drops of blood vs a general anesthetic and much more pain if it is done when they are older and the area has vascularized. You can put her to the breast immediately afterwards and work with the LC to teach her how to suck on the breast, you might want to have a look at some info I posted recently about a method of bottle feeding to encourage breastfeeding. http://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=152438 Agree entirely, my youngest DS had his snipped at Medcare under mild general anaesthetic to keep him still as he was 3 months old and it was a very minor procedure. At 10 days or a little bit more it will be very simple. My DS was able to breastfeed and I was more concerned about future speech. If it is preventing feeding I would definitely find someone ASAP - you could try Dr Sinclair at Medcare - the Dr who did my DS has left now. In the meantime I would pump as much as you can to keep your milk supply up, if you are keen to keep trying the bf.
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 13:22
My first son born here was tongue tied, I had his tongue snipped in Sharja she was the only Dr who would do it at the time (this was 7 years ago.) My lactation consultant, Paula Miller took me to her. It did help in his feeding but I couldn't get the supply up enough to exclusively BF him so had to supplement with formula. I did mostly BF until he was 8 months old though.
332
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 11:43
Get it snipped ASAP, as in tomorrow, some doctors will tell you it doesn't affect breastfeeding but there is good evidence in recent medical journals that it does. My son's was done at around 2 weeks old and it was such a simple procedure, a local anesthetic spray and a few drops of blood vs a general anesthetic and much more pain if it is done when they are older and the area has vascularized. You can put her to the breast immediately afterwards and work with the LC to teach her how to suck on the breast, you might want to have a look at some info I posted recently about a method of bottle feeding to encourage breastfeeding. http://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=152438 Thanks kiwispiers - I agree better to be done sooner rather than later : )
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 10:02
Get it snipped ASAP, as in tomorrow, some doctors will tell you it doesn't affect breastfeeding but there is good evidence in recent medical journals that it does. My son's was done at around 2 weeks old and it was such a simple procedure, a local anesthetic spray and a few drops of blood vs a general anesthetic and much more pain if it is done when they are older and the area has vascularized. You can put her to the breast immediately afterwards and work with the LC to teach her how to suck on the breast, you might want to have a look at some info I posted recently about a method of bottle feeding to encourage breastfeeding. http://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=152438
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY