CST and LC say everything is perfect...but it's not - Page 2

[danipoppins]

I would still have him looked at just to be sure; posterior tongue ties are really tricky. If anything you rule it out as part of the problem. Best case scenario it is the problem, you get it released and hopefully have a long, successful nursing relationship. I would get it looked at, but that's me.

[homemademom]

No, we're definitely still going to see the doctor. I need to exhaust every possibility, otherwise I'll drive myself insane with the "what-ifs." Ds still cant nurse properly and every sign says PTT, so I'm hopeful it can be remedied.  

I wanted to share a good link I just found about TT: http://www.lunalactation.com/KnoxTT.pdf

[PatioGardener]

the PTT can be a strange thing - some babies can stick the tongue out with no issues, but can't 'curl' it to surround the nipple because of the tie, or can't lift it as needed to the roof of the mouth to massage the milk out.

I hope the trip to the doctor gives you some answers!

[danipoppins]

Just checking in to see if you've had your appointment yet and how it went. Thinking of you.

[homemademom]

Originally Posted by danipoppins 

Just checking in to see if you've had your appointment yet and how it went. Thinking of you.

It's the day after tomorrow. I'll definitely post with an update! Thanks :)

[homemademom]

Hi ladies. We had the procedure done today. The doctor said the lip tie was worse than the tongue tie, but we had both done and it's amazing to see my little guy sticking his tongue out and moving it all around.

But I have a feeling the hard part is yet to come. Ds really does not want to nurse. My milk doesn't let down quick enough and he has to work a lot harder to suck than he did/does with the bottle. I've given him a bottle of pumped milk twice today because he was so hysterical after trying to nurse (I think post-op pain was part of that, too). So, tomorrow we start in ernest to get him nursing, but I'm really worried. Maybe a breast shield would be a good idea in this instance?  And I should probably call the lactation consultant again. Any other ideas? Thank you all so much for your help and support!

[~Adorkable~]

maybepump for a minute till your milk is flowing well and then nurse?

[SomedayMom]

I'm glad you were able to get the procedure done.  Definitely talk with the LC.

My DS had his TT done last week (9 days ago).  He was already on a sheild and I haven't been able to get rid of it yet, but I don't know if it would help in your case or not.  I can say that the first day after it was done he was still pretty reluctant about nursing, but he caught on the next day and he's been doing great ever since!  I haven't had to pump in a few days!  Hopefully, you'll see similar results!

[PatioGardener]

Talking to the LC is a good plan. Maybe an SNS at the breast would get him to nurse with a fast flow at first, then you could decrease the flow (bait and switch!)

Plus, remember all the nursing strike tips - they may help too http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

good luck!

[cristeen]

If you're ready to get him back to the breast, its time to ditch the bottles. I had to train my guy back to the breast (w an SNS) after his tie was clipped. We put the bottles away, made a committment for 3 days and i just went topless for that time. Lots of crying on both our parts, but by the 2nd day he wasn't fighting it any longer and by the 3rd, he was nursing again. Unfortunately, i had lost almost my entire supply by then (8 wks) and nothing i did helped restore it, but we were able to feed at the breast until 9 mos.

[homemademom]

Some of our problem is that both the TT and the bottle usage have trained him not to open his mouth wide AND I have larger than average nipples so it's really hard right now.  Dh is going to buy me an SNS today. I'm just dreading it so much because I used it briefly with my last baby and it was such a nightmare.  

I really hate all of this. And I'm angry that it took so long to figure this out.  Four professionals all said he was just fine and dandy, nursing great, no problems, blah, blah, blah... and it took a group of strangers on a message board to point me in the right direction.  I've solved so many other health issues with me and my children and I'm just tired of going it alone.  I don't even know what LC to call who can help me.

[SomedayMom]

We had the bottle issue too AND my nipples are really large and while not truly flat are flatter than normal (plus I'm a G cup, great combo...).  So perhaps the nipple shield would help you.  It was really the only way DS would latch on for me, so it was definitely one of my miracle fixes.  Nipple sheild + tongue tie fix was HUGE for us.

Good luck!  I really hope you get resolution soon.  I wish it didn't have to be so difficult.

[danipoppins]

Definitely find a local LC. You can call around and ask if they're familiar w/TT or ask the person who clipped the TT if they have any recommendations. Catherine Watson-Genna says on her website that she does long distance stuff but will also work with your local LC. I'd email her. http://cwgenna.com

Whatever you do, don't give up. You can do this! Its taken my DS 4 weeks to start nursing better. I still have flat nipples at times, his tongue still clicks a bit and his suck is still disorganized. Remember, he's been using his tongue like that since way before he was born, it's going to take time for those muscles to retrain.

I plan to gather some info and good websites for my midwives who missed DS's TT. The only reason we caught it is b/c I transferred to the hospital after our HB and the LCs there had very recently had some education around all types of TT. I think it's appropriate for you to print out info on it for the CST and LC you are/were working with. You have every right to be angry it was missed but you also now have the power to educate and prevent them from missing another baby's posterior TT.

You are in my thoughts; sending good nursing juju your way.