help improving latch after tongue tie clip

[CaliforniaKetus]

Hello all,

I posted 6 weeks ago with clicking, smacking and cracked nipples. After that, at 8 weeks, I had my DD tongue tie clipped. The cracks have healed. She began nursing for shorter sessions and sleeping for longer periods the next day.

My daughter is now 12 weeks old, and I believe I am at the end of the "see how much it gets better" phase. I no longer have open wounds on my nipples, but they are being rubbed raw on the bottom sides. Also DD has begun latching on then turning her face down- as if towards my stomach or elbow. She continues to suck, put it creates a terrible pull. Bringing her closer doesn't seem to help.

Any advice? I have read...try and get her to open wide, but how does one do this? I try the nipple sandwich, but she just slides back to the nipple - this even if I continue to squish/support my breast.

I will add that her weight gain is good, lots of wet diapers, infrequent poops since birth, all expected signs of a good supply. She does not take a bottle.

Thanks in advance!

[PatioGardener]

Have you been doing any suck training? Any CST?

My little one did the head down thing too - I found it helped to really pull him tight against me across his shoulder blades. It is easier to do when side-lying I find.

Sorry you are still having issues!

[OSUvet]

Just wanted to say good luck and that I feel your pain - both physically and emotionally. My DS is 8 weeks old and just had his frenulum clipped two days ago. So far he is still clamping and clicking and hurting me, and we are going to see our lactation consultant and craniosacral therapist tomorrow. I really hope things improve for you. 

[mt_gooseberry]

I know this is an old thread, but I am currently having these issues and I was wondering if anyone had found a way to improve the post-tongue-tie-clipping latch situation...those of you who posted here, how did it end up for you?

[OSUvet]

Originally Posted by mt_gooseberry 

I know this is an old thread, but I am currently having these issues and I was wondering if anyone had found a way to improve the post-tongue-tie-clipping latch situation...those of you who posted here, how did it end up for you?

Well, we are still breastfeeding at 7 1/2 mo!! Which is not something I would have been sure of when I made the above post, even though it's what I wanted so badly! Occasionally DS's latch is tight and pinchy, but that seems to go along with teething pain, and his tongue is always covering his lower gum (teeth now!), and I never get the nipple trauma like I did at the beginning. It took us about 2 weeks post clipping to have good improvement and things kept improving even more gradually for a while after that. It seemed like time was the biggest factor but also DS gets a bottle when I am at work and I made sure the care givers encouraged a good, normal latch on the bottle. I also looked up "suck training" but DS never really cooperated with that. But it worked out anyway an dI hope it does for you also!