[jenfl]

I've posted in here a few times recently and have gotten amazing help from all of you. Now I need a bit more.<br><br>
I have a 6 week old DS. Things have been rough from day 0 with him -- 3 days in the NICU and, once we were done with that, horrible breastfeeding problems kicked in. I spent the next 5 weeks running all over the city trying to figure out why he couldn't maintain a latch and I was in so much pain. Thanks to you all, I stuck with my conviction that he was tongue tied and finally found a doctor who saw it and clipped it (3 days ago).<br><br>
Although we've seen a difference in tongue mobility (and he's much more verbal!), nursing hasn't improved at all. I know it can take a while for things to change, but I'm starting to feel frustrated and a bit hopeless.<br><br>
DS finds no comfort in nursing. He sucks a few times, falls off, sucks a few times, falls off, repeat for 5 minutes or less and it's done. If he's frustrated or upset he doesn't want to nurse to make it better. He's never fallen asleep nursing.<br><br>
I spend the whole session re-latching him, so it's frustrating for me and I have none of the feel-good, bonding moments. Feeding him while outside of the house is always a disaster because we have to be in a very specific position (with pillows and all) for him to stay on for more than a suck at a time. I can't read to my daughter while nursing my son because I have to pay constant attention to his nursing so that I can re-latch him or pull away when he drops back to a shallow, painful latch.<br><br>
I want to enjoy breastfeeding my son. Right now, it's a miserable chore. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. All I can do is say, "Do I want to buy formula today?" So far the answer has been no. But I'd like some more positive affirmations to help me get through this nursing session, this day, this week.<br><br>
(Re: pumping: I did this for DD when I went back to work for a few months and hated every minute. I can't do it long-term.)

 

[momto4plus4]

I don't have any personal experience with a tongue-tied baby or anything like that. My first dd did have a lot of trouble latching. The nurse in the hospital said "She just skipped that chapter in utero". We ended up suck-training her with our pinky for the first 2 months, teaching her how to suck properly. It was tiring but worked and she ended up being my longest nurser-til age 3.<br><br>
My newest ds, now 5 weeks, is an excellent nurser, by far my best. The nurses at the hospital this time (this is #4) said "Can he come teach the rest of the babies on your hall?"!! However, I also have trouble with him pulling off, especially on one side. It's frustrating and painful so I only "allow" it for a few minutes. But, this is a new, not continuous, thing for us. What you're going through sounds SO hard, to have this happen with every feeding.<br><br>
You've done a rockin job nursing him this long. I think you're heading is right on-focus on one more day. My only suggestion would be to try the finger sucking to help him "learn" how to latch-on correctly. We would just offer our pinky (she liked to suck anything) and, if she was properly latched, let her suck, but if she wasn't, take her off and offer again. I had to constantly remind dh to wash his hands first but it might be worth a shot???<br><br>
Hang in there. You've already given your baby the best start in life by all the hard work you've done. Every day he can be offered your milk is one more healthiest day for him!

 

[ewe+lamb]

The clip has released the tongue but the tongue has been tied down for a long time already and needs to get used to it's new born freedom, you could try using a lactaid or SNS and do some finger nursing (using your own milk) that way you can do some of the finger exercises at the same time as he's nursing, pulling the finger slightly out of the mouth to force the baby to suck it back in, also bend over your baby and stick your tongue out and get him to mimic you - he'll do this but not in such an exaggerated way as yourself, if you've noticed some improvement after only 3 days it sounds as if things should get onto the correct route soon, it just takes a little perseverance - hang in there - I'm sure its nearly over and you'll have a positive and wonderful breastfeeding relationship. Anything else I can do for you please do not hesitate to post again.

 

[jildez]

Wow, first, you are a wonderfully loving and caring mom, who is doing so much for both your children.<br><br>
I really don't have any advice beyond what the others have offered, but i do know what kept me going was this: it is a season, and it will pass. And it did, and it will. your daughter, you new son and you will all be stronger and better for each day you move forward.

 

[treeoflife3]

My daughter wasn't tongue tied but she was close enough that my LC was getting concerned. Around 1.5 months my husband taught her how to stick out her tongue by blowing in her face (something she loved, like a gentle wind) and then sticking out his tongue right after. He did it ALL.THE.TIME and she wanted to copy... she finally did and things got easier then. My LC says this is probably because she finally had the proper strength to lift her tongue properly to nurse.<br><br>
We had other problems too and it probably wasn't til 6 months honestly that I started really feeling okay with nursing. The only thing that got me through it was being too hard headed to willingly use formula or admit defeat. I just spent the few times nursing really was enjoyable to really focus on just how nice it was. I'd remember those moments for all the harder times after and how soon she'd be bigger and more able to participate in nursing more... rather than just laying there and sucking when I gave her the nipple.<br><br>
I DID find though that 3-4 months because MUCH MUCH easier than 1 and 2 months. I think you are almost there. I really feel the first 8 weeks are the hardest. I only have one kid, but that was definitely my experience. I had to just really focus on the few good moments to make it through all the bad ones.<br><br>
Plus... I didn't want to deal with mixing bottles and washing dishes.. my dinner dishes were piled up.. much less bottles haha I'm crazy hard headed.

 

[mauinokaoi]

You can do it hang in there! You do not want to buy formula today because then you'll have to buy it later. Its a marathon.<br><br>
You are awesome mom!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">