Nipples pinched/ tongue tie corrected/ need help!!!

[taygirl]

Okay… where to begin! My DD is 2.5 weeks old, and we are having major latch issues. She had her tongue frenulum clipped at 1 week old, and then her upper lip frenulum was clipped a few days ago (she still keeps that upper lip pursed instead of flanging it). Nothing has seemed to improve the latch though. My nipples come out looking pinched. They don’t look extended at all. I have worked with 2 different lactation consultants. I feel like they have done all they can to help me. They say that she is not getting my nipple far enough into her mouth, and that is why my nipples are pinched. I am in major pain when she feeds. I am currently using nipple shields to deal with the pain. I have tried sandwiching my breasts, but that doesn’t seem to help much. She is also still 10 oz from her birth weight (she didn’t gain anything in a week, so the pediatrician is of course concerned). We go for another weight check on Monday (I am scared!). The ped is wanting me to pump and “top” her off with the bottle after feeding at the breast to ensure she is getting enough. In the first couple weeks I could pump 4 oz easily in 10 minutes. Within the last couple days though, the amount I can pump has seriously dwindled. Especially with my left breast—I am lucky to get an ounce in 10 minutes. Does this mean my supply is lowering, or is this normal?? I just need some advice from some people who have been there. I don’t know what to do to get that nipple far back into her mouth. I have also been doing suck training too. And I especially need advice as far as milk supply and pumping—how can I ensure that my supply doesn’t drop dramatically? And advice there? Sorry this is a long post, I just need some encouragement and support. I want this so bad for both of us. Thanks in advance.

[loraxc]

Sending you hugs as we have been dealing with something similar, only my babe is 12 weeks and JUST had his tongue clipped. He also has very low gain.

What are you doing for suck training? Do you know all about asymmetric latch? I have to say, it may not be the amount of breast that is the issue. My DS takes in plenty of breast, but our issue is that he has not figured out the correct tongue action yet.

Also, are you sure her tongue was fully clipped?

Are you taking fenugreek or any other herbs to boost supply?

[MarcyC]

What kind of pump are you using? That makes a difference. Also, have you tried any herbs? Have you tried prescription drugs (domperidone or reglan)?

[pantufla]

My nipples came out looking pinched after my DS#1 nursed. He was clamping down -- hard -- on my nipples.

[MonkeysRUs]

If you're open to the idea, craniosacral therapy can be very helpful after tongue tie release. When a baby is tongue tied, they develop adaptations to help them cope with the restricted tongue movement that can cause problems even after the tie is released. CST can help.

If things don't start to improve soon (in terms of latch), you may want to go back to the doctor that released the tie. Sometimes the tie isn't released enough and needs to be re-done.

Something else that might help is nursing with baby prone (on her tummy), as it helps baby to bring the tongue forward. Lay on your back so that you're comfortable (you can be semi-reclined, you don't have to be flat on your back), and place baby on her tummy on your chest to nurse. It can take a little bit of practice, but most babies like to nurse this way, and if you do it skin-to-skin, even better!

The lack of weight gain is concerning, and yes, it's possible that your milk supply is dropping due to baby not nursing effectively. Pumping after feeding and topping her up (NOT with a bottle!!), is probably a good idea at the moment, along with measures to help boost your supply. Finger feeding is a good way to incorporate topping baby up with tongue exercises, so you may want to see the LC again for help with finger feeding (or other alternative method of supplementing).

Hang in there, you're doing a great job, and these early weeks can be really rough when you're having these sorts of problems, but it will get better!

[loraxc]

MonkeysRUs, did you have luck with CST helping a baby of yours who had been TT? I'm considering it for my DS, but wanted to see if I could find anyone who had had it work for them.

Wanted to add that DD #1 was also TT and nursing prone was the only position we could tolerate in the end. I had no idea she was TT and just came to it through experimentation. I have tried it with DS but he doesn't seem strong enough yet.

ETA that we tried finger-feeding yesterday and found it really instructive in terms of understanding his suck--he is getting the tongue forward a good bit of the time, but it periodically "snaps back" and he clicks and loses suction.

[turtlewomyn]

My DD was tongue tied (got it clipped at one month). It took another month for my supply to reestablish and for her to get used to using her tongue. I remember that while nursing got less painful for me, my nipple was still shaped like a lipstick for a while. I took domperidone for my supply (prescribed by the doc who did the clipping). My dd also pursed her upper lip (we never did check for a lip tie though) and the LC at the hospital (since I went back to them for advice as well) suggested that after she was latched on to stick my finger in there a bit and pull that lip out.

As far as your supply, I would either pump between feeds (or pump on one side while the baby feeds on the other) to keep your supply up. Oatmeal and mother's milk tea will help with supply as well. Since weight gain is a concern, you could either use an SNS or a syringe and feed with your milk (if you get enough) or formula if you really don't think she is getting enough (I did have to supplement with formula for a bit, but was able to wean off of it when I got my supply back up). I seem to remember that I had lots of problems with mastitis and plugged ducts during that time due to the damage that was done to my nipples. I think that can affect your ability to pump as well. Quality of your pump is important too. You might want to consider renting a hospital grade pump if necessary.

[MonkeysRUs]

Originally Posted by loraxc

MonkeysRUs, did you have luck with CST helping a baby of yours who had been TT? I'm considering it for my DS, but wanted to see if I could find anyone who had had it work for them.

I don't have personal experience with it, but I know of women who have found it very helpful, and I personally know a woman who found CST and chiro very helpful when her little one was struggling with reflux type issues.