Teddy's tongue-tie journey part 1
During his newborn check, the midwife noticed that Teddy had a slight tongue-tie. I was given the option to have it snipped there and then, or wait to see if we encountered any problems later on. I chose the latter as he latched great and had no problems with feeding. Just like everyone who is breastfeeding for the first time, it hurt and was very uncomfortable. I wanted to stop many times as it was causing me so much pain, but as it was a new experience and something my body wasn't used too, I kept at it.
While in the hospital I was given a load of support, it started to get easier and within a few weeks the pain was gone. Breastfeeding was going great until Teddy turned 7/8 weeks when it started to hurt again. I kept persevering but it became unbearable, so we went to see the lactation consultant. She did an examination on his tongue, and straight away said she would refer us. She told us that his tongue was 80% tied and couldn't believe I waited till 12 weeks to see her, that it was amazing I hadn't given up as I easily could have. I was also told he had a high palate which was causing a clicking noise when he fed. She was amazing, giving me tips on how to make feeds more bearable. Unfortunately Teddy was used to feeding the way he liked so would get fussy and wouldn't feed if I tried the ways she showed me.
Teddy was turning 12 weeks so the only hospital in our area wouldn't take him as their cut off point is 12 weeks. As I was supplementing with formula, it took a lot longer than expected to get a referral from Kings College hospital in London. They have a strict policy on how much formula a baby can have before they preform the procedure and I was giving Teddy too much. He was having a 4oz bottle before bed and would have the occasional 2oz bottle during the day after a feed. We had continued this for a few weeks, until I realised it was giving him an upset tummy so I stopped.
At 17 weeks I decided to get Teddy weighed as he had last been weighed at his 8 week check up. He was also feeling very light, lighter than what I thought he should have at 17 weeks. We got him weighed and he was 13lb 2oz, meaning he had dropped to the 9th centile. No one seemed too concerned so I left it but still wasn't happy as he should have weighed more than what he did. The following week I messaged the lactation consultant again to let her know I still hadn't had the referral come though and that he had dropped a centile. She said she would chase them up and asked if I was able to come to the clinic that Friday. As I hadn't heard anything, I agreed to go back to the clinic to talk things over with her face to face. The Friday came and she was really apologetic, and explained that they had a certain time to call up but that no one ever picked up the phone when she called. I was more than understanding as it wasn't her fault and she was trying to help. She said she would call up again and let me know if she is able to get through. I mentioned that he had dropped to the 9th centile and she reassured me that it was okay and only became a problem if he had dropped 2 centiles, which luckily he hadn't!
On the Monday I received a text from her saying she had managed to get through and that they should call within the next few days. I finally received the call and made the appointment with her, earlier than I thought and was meant too as she had a couple people in front of me who were meant to call back, but as they hadn't we go their place! She sent an email the following day explaining what needs to happen on the day of the procedure, including how his last feed has to be between 12:30pm-1pm as Teddy has to be hungry when they preform it so they can see how he latches after. The email also contained a booklet that I need to read before we go up so I know what will be happening, what exactly a tongue-tie is, how to care for it after etc. We are going to be travelling to Kings College hospital on Thursday 17th May for this to finally be sorted!
I was looking online at health clinics at my local children's centres to see if I could get him weighed before we go so I can see what he weighs before he has it done and then a few weeks after its been done to see how much it changes. There is a clinic on the 16th May in the morning, so the day before he has it done I will have his weight which couldn't be more perfect! That's also the day he turns 5 months so it'll be interesting to see how much he weighs at 5 months too and what should be 'normal' for that age.
So far breastfeeding has been a massive challenge for us. I've had people tell me it's weird I'm breastfeeding my son as they couldn't do it because it felt weird to them, his tongue-tie causing feeds to be at least 15 minutes+, and all the pain its caused. I wouldn't change one second of it though, despite the pain! It's a great way I've bonded with my baby, my body is providing food for him, and the cuddles and closeness its brought. I've overcome my fear of feeding in public although his dad still has an issue with it, asking if I want to go somewhere private to feed him which prompted my response of 'you go and eat somewhere more private and see how you like it'. I hope after the procedure that it becomes more easy to feed and that the pain goes away, giving me even more confidence to continue feeding in public and hopefully upping my supply for Teddy to get enough food.
On Thursday I will be documenting the day, writing down important bits of information I've been given and creating a post for the following day. Unfortunately we could be there till at least 5pm so if this is the case, the post will most likely go up on the Saturday but I will try my hardest to get it up on the Friday!
S & T
Xx
While in the hospital I was given a load of support, it started to get easier and within a few weeks the pain was gone. Breastfeeding was going great until Teddy turned 7/8 weeks when it started to hurt again. I kept persevering but it became unbearable, so we went to see the lactation consultant. She did an examination on his tongue, and straight away said she would refer us. She told us that his tongue was 80% tied and couldn't believe I waited till 12 weeks to see her, that it was amazing I hadn't given up as I easily could have. I was also told he had a high palate which was causing a clicking noise when he fed. She was amazing, giving me tips on how to make feeds more bearable. Unfortunately Teddy was used to feeding the way he liked so would get fussy and wouldn't feed if I tried the ways she showed me.
Teddy was turning 12 weeks so the only hospital in our area wouldn't take him as their cut off point is 12 weeks. As I was supplementing with formula, it took a lot longer than expected to get a referral from Kings College hospital in London. They have a strict policy on how much formula a baby can have before they preform the procedure and I was giving Teddy too much. He was having a 4oz bottle before bed and would have the occasional 2oz bottle during the day after a feed. We had continued this for a few weeks, until I realised it was giving him an upset tummy so I stopped.
At 17 weeks I decided to get Teddy weighed as he had last been weighed at his 8 week check up. He was also feeling very light, lighter than what I thought he should have at 17 weeks. We got him weighed and he was 13lb 2oz, meaning he had dropped to the 9th centile. No one seemed too concerned so I left it but still wasn't happy as he should have weighed more than what he did. The following week I messaged the lactation consultant again to let her know I still hadn't had the referral come though and that he had dropped a centile. She said she would chase them up and asked if I was able to come to the clinic that Friday. As I hadn't heard anything, I agreed to go back to the clinic to talk things over with her face to face. The Friday came and she was really apologetic, and explained that they had a certain time to call up but that no one ever picked up the phone when she called. I was more than understanding as it wasn't her fault and she was trying to help. She said she would call up again and let me know if she is able to get through. I mentioned that he had dropped to the 9th centile and she reassured me that it was okay and only became a problem if he had dropped 2 centiles, which luckily he hadn't!
On the Monday I received a text from her saying she had managed to get through and that they should call within the next few days. I finally received the call and made the appointment with her, earlier than I thought and was meant too as she had a couple people in front of me who were meant to call back, but as they hadn't we go their place! She sent an email the following day explaining what needs to happen on the day of the procedure, including how his last feed has to be between 12:30pm-1pm as Teddy has to be hungry when they preform it so they can see how he latches after. The email also contained a booklet that I need to read before we go up so I know what will be happening, what exactly a tongue-tie is, how to care for it after etc. We are going to be travelling to Kings College hospital on Thursday 17th May for this to finally be sorted!
I was looking online at health clinics at my local children's centres to see if I could get him weighed before we go so I can see what he weighs before he has it done and then a few weeks after its been done to see how much it changes. There is a clinic on the 16th May in the morning, so the day before he has it done I will have his weight which couldn't be more perfect! That's also the day he turns 5 months so it'll be interesting to see how much he weighs at 5 months too and what should be 'normal' for that age.
So far breastfeeding has been a massive challenge for us. I've had people tell me it's weird I'm breastfeeding my son as they couldn't do it because it felt weird to them, his tongue-tie causing feeds to be at least 15 minutes+, and all the pain its caused. I wouldn't change one second of it though, despite the pain! It's a great way I've bonded with my baby, my body is providing food for him, and the cuddles and closeness its brought. I've overcome my fear of feeding in public although his dad still has an issue with it, asking if I want to go somewhere private to feed him which prompted my response of 'you go and eat somewhere more private and see how you like it'. I hope after the procedure that it becomes more easy to feed and that the pain goes away, giving me even more confidence to continue feeding in public and hopefully upping my supply for Teddy to get enough food.
On Thursday I will be documenting the day, writing down important bits of information I've been given and creating a post for the following day. Unfortunately we could be there till at least 5pm so if this is the case, the post will most likely go up on the Saturday but I will try my hardest to get it up on the Friday!
S & T
Xx
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