I knew something wasn't right after the end of the first week home from hospital. I was having difficulty getting Cohen to latch in the way all the courses, videos and breastfeeding teams show you is correct. He would not lay flat on his back for longer than 7 mins (not exaggerating!) unless he was in my arms. Feeding became painful, my nipples started to crack, and we got thrush (twice)!
Cohen never seemed satisfied, but I needed a break; we gave him a little formula in a bottle - and he guzzled it down! I felt like a failure. I thought "I'm not doing something right, I'm starving my baby!”. I had all the 'new mum’ self-doubt, the questioning of everything, and I thought 'when is my mummy spidey-sense going to kick in and take over?’. Cohen then projectile vomited! I was at a loss. How do I help my beautiful baby boy? I researched day and night about feeding positions and anything that might help. I had breastfeeding teams out to my home and spoke so often with my health visitor. On multiple occasions I said "do you think he has a tongue tie or re-flux?’”, but everyone said “no, I don't think so, he is gaining weight well" and "we would not jump to that conclusion right away, we need to rule out other causes”. One weekend Cohen was scream-crying (his pain cry) and not passing any poop. We went to 'Out Of Hours' who diagnosed him with silent re-flux. Phew! Someone had listened and got us an answer, and for about a week things seemed better... But, after 8 weeks of pumping and awkward positions; manual expressing to get let down started, mixing up re-flux medication (a nightmare in itself!), and still being in pain despite using nipple shields - I called the breastfeeding team for the umpteenth time. This time, they, along with my health visitor, put me through to the hospital for a tongue tie referral. They saw me and Cohen the next day!! and…….He has a tongue tie!!!!! *Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a breastfeeding/tongue tie specialist. The following information is all from my own personal experience and research, and from the advice I was given from various sources* So… what is a tongue tie and what should you look out for? Well, you know that string-like part under your tongue, that tightens when you lift your tongue? This is called the "lingual frenulum" and it connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. A tongue tie is when the frenulum is short, or attached further forward in the mouth or tongue.
You may notice your baby:
can't stick their tongue out
when they cry hard they cant lift it (as it's supposed to) or is heart shaped when they do
have difficulty moving it from side to side
cannot do nose to nipple head tilt to latch on (this can be caused by traumatic birth too, and is another thing they though might have been Cohen's issue)
feed for long periods of time but have a short break and want back on again
slip off the nipple while feeding
seem unsettled or hungry all the time
a clicking sound as they feed - due to not being latched right (this can happen with positional issues)
has weight gaining issues due to feeding difficulties- this was not our case cohen was gaining well as I fed on demand, which was exhausting but It clearly gave him what he needed.
You may notice on yourself:
pain on feeding
cracked or bleeding nipples
painful breasts and/or mastitis
Other things connected to tongue tie :
re-flux (silent or otherwise)
feeding blisters on your babies mouth (from trying to grip with lips while latched)
Thrush
Not all babies who have a tongue tie will have feeding problems or other issues and many tongue ties will never be found or be noticed. Also, be aware that to diagnose a tongue tie takes specific training and a specialist to do so. That means that not all doctors/midwives/health visitors or breastfeeding teams will have the training to diagnose or perform the treatment.
Treating a tongue tie doesn't always result in the full tongue division procedure, but if it does it is a small surgical procedure where the area will be administered with local anaesthetic and the frenulum will be cut with sharp scissors to release the tie. It is a very fast procedure.
We were told Cohen was an older baby to have it cut at only 8 weeks old, which might make it may bleed more than in a younger baby, but as soon as it was cut I was to latch him straight onto my breast for him to feed and the tongue pressure would stem the bleed. I was sitting patiently waiting to be passed my son, they performed the cut, he screamed (!!), then suddenly he was in my arms and feeding - no pain! Oh my God!! This is what breastfeeding should feel like. It's amazing! It was a very difficult and emotional journey for all three of us but we got there and I persevered with breastfeeding him through it all and here we are , we are still breastfeeding at 8-months old ...and Cohen loves blowing raspberries! I hope this supports, advises, educates and relates to some of you and your breastfeeding journey, but until next time... Enjoy reading, have courage, and be kind, T.x
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