Tongue Tie - Mount Laurel,NJ

Updated on April 04, 2015
A.Z. asks from Mount Laurel, NJ
5 answers

I just gave birth to my second child 7 weeks ago. He spent 4 weeks in the NICU as he was very small, no other complications. I would pump every 3 hours and bring my milk daily to the hospital. I would also stay and try to nurse for 2 feedings per day. They would only give me about 15 minutes to try to nurse so as to not tire him out. Then I would give him the bottle with my milk. He was not a very efficient nurser but I figured it was because of his size. When he came home I continued to try to nurse every 3 hours then would pump and give him my milk with the bottle. He still was not latching correctly or getting a whole lot. I had a lactation consultant come out and she said I was doing all the right things but that he appeared to have tongue tie.She gave me the contact info for a pediatric ENT at Northwest Memorial Childrens Hospital. I happened to have an appt with my pediatrician the next week before my ENT appt. My pediatrician said that he had mild tongue tie and that it would stretch eventually and to go to only bottle feeding if necessary. Although his latch on bottle and breast wasn't perfect he did manage fine at the bottle with little effort.
I went to see the ENT who said he had classic tongue tie and that it was 3/4 of the way up. I told him I didn't wasn't to have it "clipped" only for nursing because it seemed very invasive. He said that the baby would "most likely" be back in 2 years with speech problems and that at that point he'd need to be put under for the frenulectomy. I figured, this is a specialist at one of the best hospitals in the midwest. I also thought that the procedure would be a simple snip to release the tongue. I said ok and it turns out that he "clipped" the entire frenulum out, there isn't one now. The ENT said that it isn't needed and that this makes latch and feeding improve 100% of the time usually immediately. I nursed there in the office and the baby was crying so bad he wouldn't latch so I gave him a bottle.

Its bee 2 days. The baby is hardly latching at all, cannot keep the breast in his mouth, cannot push good with his tongue on bottle or breast. He is struggling just to bottle feed and cries the whole time. I spoke to the ENT who said this is not right and that he might just be sore.

Have I irreparably damaged this perfect being who struggled to come into this world. I am heart broken. I never wanted to harm him or make his life more difficult. Please someone tell me your story. Will this get better?

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More Answers

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C.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

My SIL and I both had tongue tied babies born 5 days apart. We both had terrible pain with nursing despite lactation consultants help. I had my son's "clipped" at several weeks old. I still had some level of discomfort nursing till he weaned at 17 months. My SIL did NOT clip her son and continued to have discomfort with nursing till she weaned. My nephew, now at 3 has an extreme speech impediment. He goes to a speech pathologist 4 days a week for therapy and will now need his tongue clipped in an effort to improve his speech. Because of his age he will need to be put completely under.
It may not seem like it now, but big picture, in my opinion, you made the right decision.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

My brother was having difficulty talking at age 2 or 3. His pediatrician clipped part of he frenulum in the office without anesthesia. His speech improved. I would take him back to the pediatrician to ask about this. I wonder if the ENT clipped too far? If so, what needs to be done or will it heal with time.

You did not damage your baby. You followed the doctor's recommendation. As a friend recently reminded me, "trust the process." I suspect that it will just take time for it to heal. I doubt that this will continue to be a problem. Ask the pediatrician.

2 moms found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm not sure and I'm no expert, but if the ENT clipped it 2 days ago I would imagine it would still be a little sore AND I'd bet he's adjusting to the new model of his tongue.
(Btw, my son has a little tie and zero speech issues.)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Boston on

There is varied opinions on this. My 3rd had hers done at 5 days old. And weaned at 18 months. You need to avoid the bottle. Forget it exists for awhile and keep putting baby to breast. He will learn. Hang in there, mama!! If however, a week goes by and it is still too hard, consider pumping an bottle feeding, nothing wrong with that but give the nursing more of a try so that you will feel good about your decision. Happy mom means happy baby, do not beat yourself up over this!

1 mom found this helpful

D.D.

answers from New York on

Have it clipped. It really isn't a major thing. My friend's grandson had nursing issues because of the same thing. Life was so much better and less stressful after it was done because there wasn't that frustration at trying to make him eat.

1 mom found this helpful
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