Is my DD tongue tied? **update...Not any more!!

[TXmom2]

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/x...gas2009063.jpg

Does she look tongue tied to you? I've been told she's fine by LC and ped. but we are still having low supply and transfer issues along with slow weight gain.
I'd like to know if I should look for yet another opinion..

what do you think?

[dakotablue]

Can she stick out her tongue?

The one person I knew who was tongue tied's tongue tip could not exit past his lips.

[PatioGardener]

I'm not an expert, but with your low supply, slow weigh gain and that heart shaped tongue, I'd look for a second opinion - from an expert. They'll ask you questions like "does her tongue reach the roof of her mouth?" and want to look not just at the movement of the front of the tongue, but the back too (for posterior tongue-tie.)

[Beating Earth]

To me it looks like what my daughters tongue looks like and yes she has a mild tie, but it's hard to tell from a picture.
I agree with getting a second opinion.

[jeliphish]

Certainly looks like it to me ... I would get a second opinion. How does it feel when she nurses?

[ewe+lamb]

I would absolutely say yes - without a doubt, some babies' tongues break free on their own - others don't, I would try and find a good dentist or ENT to clip the tongue. That being said you'll need to try to do some exercises some babies nurse effectively immediately after - others don't, because they are just not used to using the muscle (that's just been freed). I can't believe that a LC would say that that wasn't a tongue tie, really I am surprised! I would find a LC or LLL Leader that knows how to do a finger exam, if in doubt contact several people with regards this.

[TXmom2]

Originally Posted by jeliphish

Certainly looks like it to me ... I would get a second opinion. How does it feel when she nurses?

It doesn't hurt anymore but hurt like the dickens for the first couple of months. I'd have to breathe through the pain with tears rolling....

Originally Posted by ewe+lamb

I would absolutely say yes - without a doubt, some babies' tongues break free on their own - others don't, I would try and find a good dentist or ENT to clip the tongue. That being said you'll need to try to do some exercises some babies nurse effectively immediately after - others don't, because they are just not used to using the muscle (that's just been freed). I can't believe that a LC would say that that wasn't a tongue tie, really I am surprised! I would find a LC or LLL Leader that knows how to do a finger exam, if in doubt contact several people with regards this.

Should I spend the $75 for a consult with the IBCLC? Or just go straight to an ENT? The ENT I can use my insurance with to help with the costs...

[leafwood]

i vote ENT. call around and find out who will do the procedure. we had 3 peds and the MW say ds was fine and the ENT was shocked that they missed it (or just weren't concerned). he clipped it right there at the visit, ds latched on immediately and the difference was amazing. he was 2 wks old so i'm not sure how it would have been handled if he were older.

good luck!

[ewe+lamb]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

Should I spend the $75 for a consult with the IBCLC? Or just go straight to an ENT? The ENT I can use my insurance with to help with the costs...

If you can find an LC who knows what she's talking about then it maybe worth it, if you're going back to the same person who said it's not a tongue tie then no - it's money down the drain. I would really do some research, if it doesn't hurt to nurse any longer then time is more on your side, you need to weigh out the pros and cons as to whether or not you want to do this, releasing a tongue like this would avoid lisping and other speech impedements etc you may also wish to think about some time with an oesteopath to work on tongue movement so that it can get some extra exercise. must dash - good luck

[pastrygirl]

It definitely looks like tongue tie to me!

I had no luck with an ENT that I saw around here (said he might have TT but since it only affected breastfeeding, he wasn't willing to clip it)... see if you can find a rec for an ENT.

[ewe+lamb]

Originally Posted by pastrygirl

I had no luck with an ENT that I saw around here (said he might have TT but since it only affected breastfeeding, he wasn't willing to clip it)... see if you can find a rec for an ENT.

WOW - did you manage a clip even although your ENT said no - it only affected breastfeeding - for many that's a life/death situation - what ignorance!!

[TXmom2]

nak

well i went to the lc today (ibclc) and and both she and another nurse that was there agreed dd was tongue tied. they were shocked that i'd been told she wasnt before..

got a referal for a ent and have to call my insurance to see if they'll accept that referal of if my pedi. needs to do the referal

thanks all, i'll let u know how it goes

[hcaruso]

I hope it goes well. poor LO.

[ewe+lamb]

Wonderful - I'm delighted you're going to manage to sort this out!! Finally someone to help you!! Good luck - hope that it goes well ... keep us posted

[TXmom2]

Went to the ENT today and doc said that her tongue was "pretty restricted" and that they'd schedule surgery asap
So, she's scheduled for a "tongue release" on Dec. 18th and I'm a little freaked out....this will be her first surgical procedure and will involve anesthesia.
Doc said it's no big deal...just a little mask on her face, some anesthesia..a clip, a stitch or 2.. and she'll be fine.
But this is my baby and anesthesia is scary!

[TXmom2]

She had her surgery this morning, all's well

I'm so happy. DD's tongue tie was released today! The worst part was my fear of the "what if's" and actually handing her over. But, 20 minutes later, the procedure was done and we were waiting for her to wake up. Within 45 minutes, I was holding my baby girl and nursing her
She's getting more milk already and is getting used to the movement she now has. She can stick out her tongue now!!

[PatioGardener]

So glad it went well and that she is nursing better already!

[hotharmony]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

Went to the ENT today and doc said that her tongue was "pretty restricted" and that they'd schedule surgery asap
So, she's scheduled for a "tongue release" on Dec. 18th and I'm a little freaked out....this will be her first surgical procedure and will involve anesthesia.
Doc said it's no big deal...just a little mask on her face, some anesthesia..a clip, a stitch or 2.. and she'll be fine.
But this is my baby and anesthesia is scary!

Normally if the child is under 6 month old they don't anesthetist, it's usually a quick procedure performed in the office.

[pastrygirl]

That's great news!! I hope it continues to get better!!

[Latte Mama]

Wonderful! So glad she's doing well. What did your pedi say about it? Or did you find a new one after he failed to diagnose this in the first place?

Awesome that she's getting more milk!