Infant biting/chomping since 1 mo-UPDATE- posterior tongue tie

[penstamon]

DS2 is now 3mo and I started having pain at 1 mo.  I have been to different peds, LCs (IBCLC), LLL leaders and meetings, essentially everyone.  He seems to rake my nipple over his lower gums- the pain is on the side where his lower gums are.  Everyone ruled out any tongue tie problems- he can stick his tongue fully out of his mouth.  It does not always hurt, but it usually comes in waves.  My nipples don't look damaged and no one can tell I am in pain.  I have tried creams, lanolin, etc.  I had an OALD early on but it has calmed down some over the months.  I never had probs nursing DS1.

DS2 is happy, healthy, great sleeper and proportionate gainer (99% weight/97% height) and there are no known health concerns.  He does spit up some but not a huge amount.  DS1 also spit up the first few months.

Any thoughts?  I really don't want to spend our whole nursing relationship having pain.  I end up popping him off at the end of a session pretty frequently due to pain.

[bethseth]

I have had a few issues in the last 2 years and in every case it has been due to teething! In fact, that was usually the indicator that he would be getting teeth soon! he started this at 2months and didnt actually get the tooth until  6mo old! Try giving him something for pain or let him chew on a teether a bit before nursing. Some don't even consider that they teeth as young as 2 or 3 months, but I firmly believe they do!!

[Hattie'sMama]

Does he do the raking every time he nurses?

[penstamon]

No, he doesn't do it every time but lately it has been pretty frequent especially at the end of a nursing session.  If I break the latch he will scream and kick for a long time so he obviously wants to keep nursing.  He does have a strong suck and he bites down a lot.  The side of my nipple that gets chomped will ache for hours after.

I made another appt with an LC (IBCLC) this week, so hopefully something will help!

[penstamon]

I saw the IBCLC today and she diagnosed it as a posterior tongue tie and a possible labial tongue tie on the top lip.  This is what I was concerned about when I first started seeing drs and it is somewhat relieving to have a professional actually diagnose it.  She seems to think it will help with DS's spitting up since he sucks so much air due to an inconsistent latch.

I am waiting to hear back from the pedi- she says she will clip it if she agrees it is a problem- fingers crossed.

[Heba]

Hmm...it sounds as if it clearly is a problem.  I hope the pediatrician does agree to clip - assuming this is what you want.