Tongue Tied Babies & Breastfeeding: Sharing MY Experience with Two Babies

Tongue ties and lip ties - or tethered oral tissue - have garnered a lot of attention in recent years. Some call them a fad, but after having two children with oral restrictions and seeing what a world of difference a release made with breastfeeding, I feel strongly that they are the underlying cause for many, many breastfeeding issues.
Tongue ties can cause significant pain, weight gain issues, latch issues, milk supply issues, and more with a breastfeeding infant. With my second son, I breastfed for two years in pain due to a tie. With my third, I knew more, recognized the signs, and got a release done immediately. The impact was substantial.
In this video, I share my experience. This shouldn't be taken as medical advice but hopefully will provide you with insight on this topic.
If you are struggling with a suspected tie, consider booking a virtual lactation consult - thebreastfeedingmama.com/virt...

[@StopTheWorld65]

I love that you shared your experience. As a medical scientist and a person with extensive experience with healthcare providers, I strongly suggest that anytime you are met with anyone, be it a layperson or a professional, who approaches your issue with an attitude of absolutism, RUN THE OTHER WAY. Don't give up and accept what you’re dealing with is not fixable, keep looking for help elsewhere. No two situations are ever the same, and most people tend to form opinions based on their own limited experience, which is statistically insignificant. Believe it or not, doctors are trained with what I call the flowchart model, and if you don’t fit neatly into the flowchart they've been taught, they don’t know what to do with you. They don’t like to admit that, so their reaction is often to brush you off and minimize whatever you're dealing with so you'll go away. Follow your gut. Always listen to your instincts. Don’t feel embarrassed or pesky. Keep pushing and searching until you're convinced you're getting the best advice. Sadly, you have to be your own advocate and stand up, strong, tall, and proud and fight for proper care.

[@nikig4236]

For 6 weeks I was told me and my milk supply was the problem and to just pump and give her my Milk, but after six weeks of not gaining hardly any weight and they started pushing more and more formula and less and less of my milk… Finally called a Wonderful IBLC that came to my house, tongue and lip tie… Turns out oral restrictions in transfer issues are the problem not my milk supply!

[@TheBreastfeedingMama]

So glad you found help!

[@carrd1]

This has helped me. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheBreastfeedingMama]

So glad!

[@balladofbignothing6637]

You're really really brave ! That must have been so hard... I'm going through the same thing with my 6 months old, hopefully things will get better...

[@TheBreastfeedingMama]

Hang in there! I think you commented quite awhile ago, but I hope things have resolved.

[@michelleclassen4958]

Thanks for this!

[@sashal.n9454]

You are SO brave to take your baby at 6 months!!!! I plan to do it immediately for bebe 2- if bebe gets diagnosed w/ tie release

[@lvt1748]

Thats amazing that you kept feeding. I had the same issues with my son and so i finally switched to pumping at month 2 when i got a pinched nerve in my back from basically clenching and trying to fight through the pain. I wished i coyld have found someone to help me, because i loved the bonding aspect, but pumping was the best alternative for me and it allowed me to measure how much i was feeding, which was helpful to know since wecstruggled with weight gain. I lost so much weight i was likely feeding sim milk. I was devistated to have to add in formula, but it did help him gain weight, so i got over it. I gave it all up and switched to formula at 10 months. My health was in extremely bad shape from such little sleep, due to my very small capacity having to pump every couple of hrs to not feel painfully full. Im hoping my next baby wont have the same issues

[@nicoletheseeker6139]

My 1 month old is tongue tied and she's choking, gassy, crying, puking. I see a lactation specialist in 2 days and doctor in 4. I made it through the weekend and it was so hard

[@TheBreastfeedingMama]

I’m so sorry! Please reach out if you need anymore help

[@nicoletheseeker6139]

@TheBreastfeedingMama thank you :) she's had lazer on her lip and tongue 👅 it's like a whole new baby. The choking was giving me anxiety, so glad she's better.

[@ccat8324]

Where are the links to specialists in area?

[@uk9030]

Hi thanks for this video, did you have to go through procedure again after the re attachment? And was it difficult to do the exercises ?

[@TheBreastfeedingMama]

Hello! Exercises weren’t convenient but not terrible. You just have to be consistent. And the dentist actually just broke the regrowth with his fingers.

[@uk9030]

Thanks so much for your response :) we just did the procedure last week. I was hoping it would be an immediate improvement but so far it's not so different... how long did it take for you to notice a difference? or was it immediate@@TheBreastfeedingMama

[@TheBreastfeedingMama]

@@uk9030 unfortunately we usually don’t see immediate improvement most of the time. I know one of the dentists I refer to often says don’t expect anything for at least two weeks. The older the child is, the longer it might take. Do you have a rehabilitation plan and also working with a CST or OT? Happy to do a consult with you if you need additional support.

[@nicolelyon1284]

My daughter had a tounge tie and lip tie as well as a buccal tie. We got it relased, and she's already 5 months, and she's still not latching. She bites down on my nipples and doesn't open her mouth wode enough. She's been healed now over a mouth. Im at lost for words. I've seen an IBLCE and thought i got enough help, and im still struggling. Also, im struggling with pumping. My LC just eyeballed it and said i was a 15mm, but it still feels off to me. I'm not sure if i have elastic nipples. Im having to supplement with formula, and i just wanna get her latched and hopefully get my milk supply to come in. I barely get .5 to an 1 on my good side. My slacker side barely gets a couple of drops. :( When i get her on, she doesnt stay on long enough, she gets frustrated.

[@jhck3384]

Unfortunately I don’t have any help, but I’m so sorry you’re going through this! Sending hugs! 🤗

[@nikki7939]

My son will be getting it released soon im scared he wont wanna latch again . My first he has the same but had no issues breastfeeding but my second is having issues securing a seal . No pain but he has slow weight gain

[@TheBreastfeedingMama]

Hang in there! If you need any help before or after, please reach out. I’d be happy to do a consult. The right aftercare cN make a big difference.