SOOO frustrated - baby's tongue/latch

[rachie]

My baby is three weeks. At one week she was diagnosed as being "tongue tied" and we had the procedure done to clip it. She seems to be doing much better.... only on ONE SIDE!! What in the world?? I cannot for the life of me get her on correctly on my left side!!

She's moving her tongue back n fourth, curling her tongue, tongue thrusting during the feeding, etc.... Even when she opens WIDE and sticks her tongue out well and I think we're going to get a good latch - my nipple still gets pinched and turns white at the tip because she's sucking in such a way that it's like a hickey! ARGH!!! Two weeks of this - calling and going in to see LCs so many times.

The left side is now so sore that I've wanted to try a nipple shield and also was told that using one on that side may somehow help train her tongue - ??? but I can't even get the stupid thing on! (And I have used them with my first baby so I know how - I can't get it on). Someone told me to try pumping just a bit before she latches to see if drawing out my nipple a bit more might help her get more in her mouth and encourage her to suck "normally". ??? My nipples are not flat but they seem small and not quite as pointy as "average" so it could be making things harder for us.

I'm wondering if I'm just better coordinated (or if she is) on one side for some reason? If it's poor positioning? To me it looks the same on both sides and the LCs have all said the latch "looks" fine - 'til I show them what she's doing to my nipple! I've had the suggestion of Raynaud's Syndrome but I don't have any of the other symptoms of it (other than white nipples because she's cutting off my circulation).

Anyone know what to do for an infant who doesn't know how to use their tongue correctly to suck??? I'm going for ANOTHER (like 7th) apt. to see another LC on Friday but that means all night tonight, all day tomorrow, all night tomorrow and most of the day Friday to get through!!!

Any suggestions til then? Any suggestions for when I see this LC? I've just GOT to get this solved!!

[corysmilk]

call lelache a leage. My dd had alot of problems with her latch and I had really sore nipple just on one side. she was not toungue tired thou. both my boys were
anyway I had to do detailed mouth exercises with DD. they were to help stimulate the rooting reflex. My LLL leader had many years experience. I actually had many phone conversations with her over several weeks until we met in person.

I know how frustrating this can be. But don't give up, I nursed DD until 11 months, when I had to wean because of meds.
Good luck!

[Heba]

Have you experimented with different positions? In particular you might like to try laid-back positions which capitalize on babys innate latching instincts and can help achieve more effective attachment. Look at www.biologicalnurturing.com for description, pics and video (click on the For Mothers tab).
good luck, and I hope you get this figured out soon!

[PatioGardener]

different positions may really help.

[Casha'sMommy]

OP-Why would Raynaud's have anything to do with your nipples? It's a syndrome that causes your extremities to turn white/blue/purple due to temperature change. For instance, when my feet get the slightest bit cold they turn quite blue/purple.

As for being more coordinated on one side than the other. I completely understand what you're saying. I've always had this. I hold my babe differently with my left arm than my right for some reason however, this is not noticeable to others. lol
Do you use a nursing pillow? That really helped me with my youngest two.

I too suggest switching up positions on the left side to see if that changes anything. And I'll throw another vote out there for LLL.

s

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Casha'sMommy

OP-Why would Raynaud's have anything to do with your nipples? It's a syndrome that causes your extremities to turn white/blue/purple due to temperature change. For instance, when my feet get the slightest bit cold they turn quite blue/purple.

Not the OP here, but I can speak to Raynaud's/nipple vasospasm. Sadly, some women are unfortunate enough to have this syndrome affect their nipples, causing excruciating pain. See: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...tion&Itemid=17

[Casha'sMommy]

I can see how that would be but without any other symptoms? I probably didn't state that very well in my original response. I think I question the op having Raynaud's because the right side is better and now the left side is where the trouble/pain is. Unless I misunderstood.

[rachie]

positions

Originally Posted by Heba

Have you experimented with different positions? In particular you might like to try laid-back positions which capitalize on babys innate latching instincts and can help achieve more effective attachment. Look at www.biologicalnurturing.com for description, pics and video (click on the For Mothers tab).
good luck, and I hope you get this figured out soon!

Thank you. I watched a video from there. I have attempted a few times to let her latch while on my tummy - it's extremely painful that way for us - she doesn't latch correctly in that position at all. Once we have our latch down, though it will be SO nice to be able to night nurse in bed!

Originally Posted by Casha'sMommy

I can see how that would be but without any other symptoms? I probably didn't state that very well in my original response. I think I question the op having Raynaud's because the right side is better and now the left side is where the trouble/pain is. Unless I misunderstood.

This is the reasoning I've told the LCs that have suggested Raynauds as the cause of my pain. It doesn't add up because I don't have the other symptoms and one side is better than the other, and achieves better latches for some reason.

I did just try wearing the nipple shell that draws out the nipple (on the left side) - I think it did seem to help her latch better. I will continue to try that and see if we can get some improvement with it. I noticed last night/this morning also that she opened really wide for the breast and stuck out her tongue quite well and latched a little better, less "lazy tongue" (where she opens her mouth slightly then closes it and sucks her tongue instead of really trying to get onto the breast). I'm hoping this is going to be a good change for us (don't know what has changed - she was doing that before I latched her on the left side with the use of the shell). I was letting her suck on my finger quite a bit last night between feedings - I wonder if that's helping her "learn" correct sucking?? Don't know that it would help her learn correct latching though since she doesn't have to open wide to latch on to my finger - ?? Another possibility could be that she was HUNGRY - she had sucked on my finger and after a few minutes wanted MILK, not just something to suck on - so maybe in her slightly more hungry state she was more eager (but not panicked/upset) to get a good mouth full - maybe she's learned she gets milk better/easier this way??? I hope so!!

[PatioGardener]

have you tried football hold on the left?

nak

[rachie]

yup

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

have you tried football hold on the left?

nak

Yes I've done that - no difference - kills my nipple.

[ewe+lamb]

Tongue ties are hard things, once the clip has been done you will have to do some exercises with baby to get her to use her tongue properly, for the last 9 months - during all the development in your womb her tongue has been tied down and attached to the floor of the mouth therefore the muscle has never been used properly, so exercises are the way to go, take your little finger and place it in her mouth pad side up on the palate and nail on the tongue, get her to start sucking on the finger letting her pull the finger back into the mouth as far as she can, then very gently start pulling your little finger out the mouth and this should therefore get her to keep sucking harder on your finger to pull it back, do this a few times a day to start with and you should notice a difference in her suck and therefore your comfort, but it takes time and sometimes much longer than a few weeks, consider it more a work in progress and congratulate yourselves at the smallest improvement. Have to go now but really hope that you manage to get through this. take care.

[rachie]

Thanks

Thank you for that. I have noticed after her sucking my finger (she has a hard time getting and keeping a suction) she has improved a little bit.