Tongue tie - exercises after clipping

[nononose]

Cross posted in Life with a Babe.  I have heard that after clipping a tongue tie, there are exercises that should be done to make sure the clip doesn't heal back the way it was.  When I had it clipped, the doctor said nothing was necessary, but I know of people who didn't do the exercises and it grew back.  Unfortunately, they don't know or remember what these exercises are, and I don't know where to find them.  Does anyone have any information on this?  If it matters, DD is 4 weeks old.  TIA.

[teton1898]

http://www.kiddsteeth.com/articles.html 

I think it is in the 4th article, "Breastfeeding should be fun and enjoyable"

Definitely do the exercises--I'm headed back tomorrow for a reclip of my LO.  You should do them twice a day for 12 days.

[homemademom]

That's a great article! Thanks for posting. We're going in for a reclip next month, too.  

[nononose]

Thankyou!

I'm finding it a bit odd, but I think her latch is actually worse than it was before the clipping.  We're still working on it.  It's not BAD, but could be better. She's still gaining, and I"m not too sore.

[teton1898]

Hope it goes well.  It was much more traumatic the second time

[nononose]

I'm so sorry it was worse. I've heard that before. Hope your little one mends quickly.

[teton1898]

Thanks.  She is doing well.

Your comment about the latch being worse post clipping made me remember about suck training.  Ella's latch had gotten so bad that she couldn't even create enough suction to draw the milk down the SNS tubing--which was terrifying because that is the only thing that is keeping us nursing right now as I am also battling low supply.  Anyway, I started doing some suck training with her before every feeding and her latch improved dramatically within just a couple of feedings.  I can now slip the tubing right in her mouth where as before it would take 5 minutes of fiddling to find the sweet spot.  Just google suck training and try it.  I also have an appt with a craniosacral therapist tomorrow.  I have heard wonderful things about CST helping this little babies nurse better.

Trish

[nononose]

Thanks Trish.  I'll look that up.  Fortunately I have a toddler who's tandem nursing, so no supply issues (thankfully!), and my let down is sensitive and strong, so she's still gaining well ... for now.  It might just be buying me time until I get it all resolved though.  I hope things improve for you.  I took her for CST last week, and we have our next appointment set - I hope that will help resolve things as well, as I too have heard wonderful things about it.  She has another issue we were seeking help with CRT as well (cephalohematoma).

[CookAMH]

Interesting, my 13 week old had a hematomoa too and we just got her tongue tie clipped today. She saw a chiro for weeks with some improvement, but the doc who clipped recommended a step higher with a physical therapist. She said she has seen most issues resolve within 4 visits.

We too have struggled with latch today since the clip, but I'm hoping it levels out soon. I've been sweeping my pinkie under her tongue off and on, and also getting her to stick her tongue out. I googled suck training...was there one particular site that was helpful?

[teton1898]

I found these 2 the most helpful.  I also found that using some sort of feeding tube, so the baby is rewarded for correct sucking, worked better than just a finger alone (see the second link)

http://www.lovingbaby.ca/parenting/breastfeeding/finger-training.php

http://www.breastfeedinghelpdesk.com/site/?page_id=51