Should I buy an SNS before baby is here?

[bubbamummy]

This probably sounds paranoid, but im totally working myself up about this.

DS had a HORRIBLE latch, by 10 days old he hadnt had any 'yellow poop'...infact he'd only pooped meconium by that point, he was peeing 'crystals' had horrible jaundice and had chewed chunks off of my nipples (literally!!!). Due to the cycle of jaundice (sleep, get more dehydrated, sleep more) he ended up losing 12% of his body weight by day 10 and I ended up pumping exclusively for 11.5 months.

I am now very nervous about breastfeeding again, more so than giving birth. I never really feel like I worked out how to do it properly. The feelings of utter desperation I had when DS was a newborn were horrible-I cannot go there again.

I really, really do not want to bottle feed again. Do you think I should invest in one of these 'just in case'? I think it would have really helped DS but at the time I never even knew they existed. Or am I being ridiculous?

http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Supplem.../dp/B000NEDGB8

[PatioGardener]

Since you pumped for so long, I'm guessing the issues with your first were transfer and not supply. Personally I'd invest in several visits to a really good IBCLC (or get her to come to you!) after birth before buying an SNS. I'd interview before birth - ask about knowledge re: tongue-tie and referal for clipping, difficult latch, etc. Do you have a La Leche League in your area? I'd go to some meetings before birth too in order to build up a knowledgeable support base.

Your first experience sounds really scary - I hope this one goes much better!

[abiyhayil]

Is that something your insurance would cover? You might want to wait and see if so. There's hope though, my first was tongue-tied, we used a nipple shield first and had his frenulum clipped when his latch didn't improve. After my second, I realized how bad his latch still is because I barely feel her latched on! She's nursed like a dream since birth with no problems and maybe yours will too?

[bubbamummy]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

Since you pumped for so long, I'm guessing the issues with your first were transfer and not supply. Personally I'd invest in several visits to a really good IBCLC (or get her to come to you!) after birth before buying an SNS. I'd interview before birth - ask about knowledge re: tongue-tie and referal for clipping, difficult latch, etc. Do you have a La Leche League in your area? I'd go to some meetings before birth too in order to build up a knowledgeable support base.

Your first experience sounds really scary - I hope this one goes much better!

Thankyou. I already have the number of a local IBCLC lady who does home visits, I picked up her flyer at my local birthing center, she has 25 years exp. so I already have her number

There is a local LLL group, I need to get my butt into gear and get to some meetings.

I do frequently wonder about my sons tongue, my husband was VERY tongue tied as a baby (not sure if it's genetic?!) and he even had speech problems because of it. I did ask the ped to check my son but she kind of brushed it off and said 'oh yeah..he's fine'. Even now at almost 2 he cant poke his tongue out very far.

[abiyhayil]

Originally Posted by bubbamummy

I do frequently wonder about my sons tongue, my husband was VERY tongue tied as a baby (not sure if it's genetic?!) and he even had speech problems because of it. I did ask the ped to check my son but she kind of brushed it off and said 'oh yeah..he's fine'. Even now at almost 2 he cant poke his tongue out very far.

Sounds like tongue tie to me. Our LC told us a story of a teenage boy she knew who asked his mom if he could have the surgery so he could kiss girls There are genetic links, my MIL was extremely tongue tied, which we didn't know until we told her he was having his tongue clipped. Apparently she had speech issues in kindergarten and had it fixed then. I thought it would be better for feeding and speech if we did it earlier and it helped, but our Ped said they learn to suck in the womb so tongue clip would not magically fix his latch. At the time his latch seemed loads better (no nipple shield!) but now with #2 I can see what he meant. (eep sorry for the ramble)

[PatioGardener]

Sounds like your son may have been/maybe is tongue-tied!

It can run in families, so being prepared in advance for this baby to be tongue-tie may be a good idea. You'll want to talk to LLL or the IBCLC before birth to find someone (not your pediatrician!) who knows about tongue-ties who can assess your baby and clip if needed.

There is a great sticky at the top of the Breastfeeding Challenges forum about tongue-tie that is worth a read, just in case that is an issue.

Sounds like you are preparing to tackle any issue that may arise! But as the PP said, the second can be totally different from the first, so I'm hoping that except for the usual discomfort after birth you two nurse like a dream Best wishes for the birth and breastfeeding!