Tongue Tie - your Experience

Hi
My 12 day old DD2 has mild tongue tie and i'm looking at getting it snipped next week. I'm getting mixed reactions from people but feel i'm making the right decision if it means 12mths+ of breastfeeding rather then weaning because DD can't attach properly and is damaging my nipples. I had a very difficult time feeding DD1 which lead to me expressing for 6mths. This time i don't feel i will have the time and energy to do that with a 2yr old as well.
All midwives and the child health nurses i've spoken to are supportive and said it is a routine thing in alot of hospitals, it's just that the peads in our area arent pro BF so don't do it.
I'm nervous about the proceedure and any possible complications. Also DD spent some time in SCN and has already had a barrage of blood tests etc but is now fine but no one likes to see their children in pain.

So i'm after positive stories from others who have had their bubs tongue tie snipped. How long did bubs cry for? Did you watch? Did you feel it was traumatic? How long after did you notice a feeding improvement? Would you do the same again?

If anyone can help with these questions it would be much appreciated.

I was just about to ask if it was necessary, but I saw that she's having trouble attaching. My DS has mild tongue tie as well, but had no problems feeding, I was just going to offer my experience, but now see it's irrelevant!

I was told it was a routine procedure and was offered it for DS but didn't end up happening as he was feeding ok. I would have in a second had he had problems BFing. I hope it goes smoothly for you and your DD. Thinking of you x

For my first, I regretted not doing it earlier. We got it done at around 4 weeks and by then my BF confidence was shot. His feeding did improve but for other reasons BF didn't work out.

To answer your questions... He only cried for a few minutes. He was more annoyed/distressed about being held in position than actually the snip hurting. I didn't feel it was traumatic. Definitely not nice, but not traumatic. I did watch, but DH held him down while the Dr did the snip.

It's never nice taking your kids to the doctor for any reason. However if this means you can BF for 12 months, my experience says do it and don't look back.

DD had tongue tie which wasnt detected until she was nearly 3 months old. She wasn't attaching properly and I went to a lactation consultant who picked it up.
We got it snipped and the relief for me was instant. It felt so much better feeding her and we went on to BF for nearly 15 months

DS2 & DD2 were both born with tongue ties. I had DS2's snipped at 5.5 weeks and DD2's snipped at 4 weeks. DS2 fed for 6 months, but we constantly had supply & weight gain issues and DD2 fed for 4 months and we had the same issues with supply but she was gaining weight better thanks to me also being able to express for her.

The snip is nothing really. I'd say it is probably equal to or better than an immunisation. My DS2 barely made a sound and latched on to me straight away. DD2 made a little more sound but she latched on straight away too. I am so thankful that I had them done.

Where abouts are you? I noticed your location says NSW Mid North Coast. With DS2 we had his done in Port Macquarie hospital as the paediatric surgeons from John Hunter Hospital visit there monthly. All I had to do was get a referral from the GP to have the TT snip done, and it was all covered by Medicare. The visiting surgeon that does the snips is Dr Roy and he is lovely. I had the same issues as you're having - No Dr's or Paeds would do the snip and it was looking like I would need to take him to JHH to get done until the ECHN did some enquring for me.

All the best :hug: Your DD will be fine :)

Hi Crystalwings
I have had 2 out of my 3 children with tongue ties.
My DS was 5 days old when he had his snipped, he had a 100% tie so there really wasnt a choice we had to get it done, our hospital took him away and then brought him back and he actually wasnt crying when they brought him back to me (even the dr was shocked), he attached straight away and it was alot more comfortable than it had been. Unfortunately for other reasons he only BF for 2 weeks :(
My DD was about 8 to days old when she had hers snipped, she had a 75% reversed tongue tie so again it had to be done, they took her away and brought her back she was upset but settled once BFing, again for other reasons she last for 3 weeks BFing :(
I havent found the procedure to be traumatic of course it is scary but that is just being a mum worrying all the time about your kids... DD was the most upset but not as bad as when she had her immunisations. I found the drs and midwives to be really caring and honestly the difference in feeding is amazing (well my experience) and it was instant with the feeding relief. I am happy with the way our hospital does it as i dont think i could cope watching (i dont like taking them for their immunisations lol) and i did not hesitate at all getting my DD tongue tied snip i was still nervous but i would not regret it for either of them as not only does it affect their BFing but it can affect their speech later in life too having a tongue tie....
I hope this helps and Goodluck to you and your DD2, remember that it might be a minute of pain but the benefits are so great.... Take Care and let us know how you went.
Tracy :)

Both my boys had posterior tongue ties, the first wasn't picked up for 8 weeks until my mchn and I forced the issue with the hospital.

The second had his snipped at 5 weeks

I did not find it traumatic at all. Because of the type of tongue tie it was we had to see a specialist at the royal Womens hospital to get it done as the first person who assessed it was too scared!

It made a difference to both. Generally speaking, the earlier you get it done the better.

Thankyou so much everyone.
Lisa, Port is a couple of hours away but that may be an option. i have an appointment with the one local surgeon that will do it next week and am off to gp today so will mention it to him.
Hadn't really thought about compairing it to immunisation.
I just can't wait to experience pain free bf! fingers crossed i get this wish.
thanks again

My 8 yr old has a mild TT. Its never been an issue for us. Recently I took him to the dentist for something else & it was mentioned. So I went back whent he guy who specialises in TT's was on & he felt there was no real need to do my DS seems all teh things you would do it for, had never been a problem.

BUT my point of this post is. This Dentist uses a lazer to do it. Maybe youcould ask around if there is anyone who performs the "snip" with the lazer. From what I have read it is much more gentle & heals much nicer that way.

I wish my DS1's had been picked up earlier :( His was picked up at 11 months when he was unable to tolerate solids. As a baby he was unable to attach to the breast without a nipple shield, he had a very weak suck and was generally a sleepy baby - was all put down to being 10 weeks prem. I went through 3 different health professionals locally to me who all said "just keep trying" not one stopped to have a look at us feed, not one looked in his mouth nothing. I express fed him for 4 months before the stress got too much, if I had the support I needed I know I could have done it longer. Back to when it was picked up, it was a chance thing, we had moved house and I was seeing the new CHN (who also happened to work in NICU casually too) our very first visit to her and DS1 yawned just as she happened to glance over and immediately she said he's TT. It took us until 18 months to get it fixed, because at that age they need to be put under a GA. At 18 months he still was unable to tolerate lumpy solids (was a very runny puree only) within a week of having it fixed he started to eat sandwiches :D The surgeon who fixed it said that DS1 had one of the worst TT he had ever seen and couldn't understand how they missed it in the NICU.

My DS2 is also TT, but as we had no attachment issues we didn't get him snipped. We BF for 12 months :D Before being discharged from SCN I demanded he be checked to make sure it wasn't too bad.

It is so much better to get it done while they are so young, there are less complications and less ongoing issues.

All the best x

both my boys have had it.
(60% of TT cases are males)

DJ got it snipped at 8 weeks old. due to other reasons i was unable to fully b/f him but i did express for him
Vic had it worse (he had a heart shaped toung) and it was snipped and feeding became a dame site easier - my poor nipples wheren't turning into needles! the hospital i birthed at wouldn't cut TT - i had a pead tell me there was "no evidance" it helped. was he attached to my nipple? a second hospital we went to (for other reasons) did it on the pead ward. once it was cut he lached right on and has not let go since!

I think you are doing the right thing. We had our DS's T-T snipped at 3 weeks and never looked back. Before that he couldn't attach at all so it was the only option for breastfeeding. However, there are other reasons to do it too - it can cause speech difficulties down the track and is also linked to tooth decay as the tongue is unable to clear the food from the mouth effectively.

To set your mind at rest, it was totally quick and simple and DS was totally fine. He cried when it was done, probably just from having his mouth opened by the doc, and then he was brought straight over to me and he attached straight to the breast for the first time within 10 seconds of having it done. That stopped him crying immediately and then he was totally fine - and we were breastfeeding, woo hoo!!

All the best hun, I'm sure you won't regret it.

Have only read your original post, not the replies, but I just wanted to lend my support and encouragement.
We had DS2's severe tongue tie snipped when he was 6 days old. BFing was extremely painful for me as he couldn't use his tongue to draw the milk into his mouth properly (tho he did feed well and never went hungry). The dr looked at him, agreed it needed to be snipped, took him away from me (standard procedure in his office), was DS2 was back in my arms within 90 seconds - it was THAT quick. No tears, no blood, we BF'd happily and we left and never looked back. Apparently it's painless if it's done in a young baby, something to do with immature nerve endings in the "tie" bit. Not 100pc sure, but I'm sure the dr will explain. Anyway, our BFing improved out of site, and DS2 only benefitted from it.
Rest easy - I think you'll find you're doing the right thing.

Hi,
thanks for all your replies.
just wanted to update. I went to the surgeon on tues and he doesn't think it's bad enough to snip even though i still have damaged nipples. He said he will reassess her at 3mths as she is gaining weight etc. Was so disappointed and am terrified of getting a nipple infection as i had a terrible time with this with DD1. So now i'm just hoping DD gets better at attaching or her frenulum stretches. The things our babies put us through!

Dd has mild tongue tie and they told me they don't do anything anymore unless it affects there speech. We are having some attachment problems too. She isn't damaging them badly but they do pinch and sting it isn't fun but she's putting on weight so nothing they will do. I'm hoping she'll grow out of it. I'm also going to see a lactation consultant. See if they can help me with her attachment

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

Are you able to get a second opinion? The surgeon that snipped my kids told me that if there is any damage to the mothers nipples then they will snip the tie as breast feeding is important. My DD2's tie wasn't too bad - 2 Dr's and 4 midwives couldn't see it - but it was snipped because she was damaging my nipples.

Lisa, I might look into going to Port if things don't improve. It's a couple of hours away but i've already spent $120 to be told he might snip the TT at 12wks so can't afford to keep forking out for maybe's. The doc I saw said that the TT has to be more of a problem for the child then the mother and he has to be careful not to snip only to benefit the mother. This really annoyed me cause if i can't bf then it does effect DD and bf benefits her more then me.

Mumof2boys, i'm hoping DD will grow out of hers too but i just want this bf journey to start off well and don't want to end up on that roller coaster of AB and thrush and pain for months. Unfortunately we have no private LC here. We have the aba but it would be great to get help one to one when i really need it.

:

---

Lisa, I might look into going to Port if things don't improve. It's a couple of hours away but i've already spent $120 to be told he might snip the TT at 12wks so can't afford to keep forking out for maybe's. The doc I saw said that the TT has to be more of a problem for the child then the mother and he has to be careful not to snip only to benefit the mother. This really annoyed me cause if i can't bf then it does effect DD and bf benefits her more then me.

Mumof2boys, i'm hoping DD will grow out of hers too but i just want this bf journey to start off well and don't want to end up on that roller coaster of AB and thrush and pain for months. Unfortunately we have no private LC here. We have the aba but it would be great to get help one to one when i really need it.

---

I know how you feel hun,its been a rough few weeks for us here too. I've had thrush as well, plus we all got the flu as soon as we got out of the hospital so I got really, really sick. And dd doesn't like my left breast so we have lots of breast refusal as well. It can be so frustrating can't it. Don't have a private LC here either, but we're going on holidays in 10 days so I am going to see someone whilst we are away thank goodness

:

---

Are you able to get a second opinion? The surgeon that snipped my kids told me that if there is any damage to the mothers nipples then they will snip the tie as breast feeding is important. My DD2's tie wasn't too bad - 2 Dr's and 4 midwives couldn't see it - but it was snipped because she was damaging my nipples.

---

Agreed - DS2's paed told me the day he was born that if breastfeeding was "abominable" we should have it done. Well, it was "abominable" - for me! DS2 found a way to feed effectively and he got a good feed each time. It was just me that suffered! So yes, I'd go get another opinion. It is no good at all if it is affecting you.

I really am not sure why they wouldn't snip it if you want them to. Is it because they are going to do surgery to do it? I know there is a cut-off age past which they need to do it under anaesthetic so maybe that's it. Otherwise there is no real down side to doing it so I can't imagine why they would object.

DS's was done at 3 weeks and was just the snip in the doc's rooms. Maybe the trick is find of the GPs who do these in their offices routinely before the baby reaches the cut-off age rather than deal with surgeons at all. Crystalwings, if you would like the contact details of the GP in Brissy who did DS', PM me and I will give them to you. I know you are not in Brissy but he has done loads of research about t-t and the results of snipping so he should be able to give you better information about your options and an idea of what you can do next. Also, with regard to the breastfeeding, have you tried Baby Led Attachment or nipple shields? Sometimes these can help babies with t-t. The ABA helpline - 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686, drop the last 6 for VOIP) will be able to give you more information on these options or other things you could try.

Good Luck!!

HI
just thought i would update. I went back to the lactation clinic and am off to Sydney next week to have the t-t snipped. It's a long way to go but the LC spoke to the registrar at westmead and she is happy to snip even if it's a millimeter that makes a difference. DD's t-t has actually stretched or broken a bit itself but the LC said that while it does look better there is obviously still a problem as my attachment etc is good.
So will let you know how it all goes when we return.
Wish us luck. Can't wait to experience pain free bf!

Glad to hear it. I've no doubt bub will be totally fine, and I'm sure neither of you will look back once it's done.
Let us know how you get on - good luck!

That's fantastic news hun. I'm glad someone finally listened to you :hug: I too would love to hear how you go.

Just found your thread - thank goodness you're seeing someone who'll listen! You don't take no for an answer. No one should have to put up with pain in breastfeeding if it can be fixed!

Yay!!! Glad to hear there is someone willing to do it for you. All the best :)

Thanks ladies,
the LC was horrified that the surgeon i saw said Ã* have to be careful i don't snip just to benefit the mother'". WT? if i give up bf cause i'm sick of cracked sore nipples, how is that beneficial to my baby. Turns out he didn't even do a proper assessment. Such a waste of money!
Anyway will keep you posted.