XP: We met with the LC today, P is lip tied

[Stingyshark]

I posted this on MMM, so apologies if you saw it there.



We finally met with an LC today - finding someone that would come to the house was quite the task. There is ONE LC for the ENTIRE county, and she is the WIC LC, so, according to the lady we met with today, the WIC LC can only help you if you're on WIC - which we are not... so that is not helpful.

Anyways- She said that P has a lip tie, which is why she is tearing up my nipples. I can't explain why it's causing problems, it was a lot of information.

Here is what one of the websites I've looked at says, "Babies who are tongue-tied may have problems affecting a secure latch to the breast. They can overcompensate by increased suction causing nipple damage and pain. When they can no longer maintain latch through suction, there may be a click and a slight loss of suction or the baby may completely detach from the breast. This may not only cause pain, but also affect the baby’s ability to adequately drain the breast, leading to supply issues. In severe cases, baby is really not able to attach at all."

She said I was doing a great job latching her on and feeding her considering the severity of her lip tie.

I asked her why the pediatrician didn't recognize it, and she said that it's not something the check for - that pediatricians aren't trained at length about breast feeding. The LC said that ENTs are one of the only types of Physicians that are trained in this type of problem, but you wouldn't think to go to an ENT for breastfeeding issues.

SO, I am relieved that there is a reason why we are having such a difficult time, and that it's not just something I'm doing wrong.

The LC recommended that we have it revised bc it can lead to life long problems. Obviously we will do some research, but as of right now, we will likely be getting it revised.





It's really unfortunate that the hospital I delivered at doesn't have any sort of lactation team - that is not something I thought about when we chose the hospital. We just chose it because it is the closest one to us. IF we were going to have another kid (and that's a pretty big IF) I would choose somewhere that has better support for the mother.

[Stingyshark]

According to the LC, there are three ways; it can be cauterized, clipped, or it can be fixed via cold laser. The Dr she referred us to does the cold laser.

[natablue]

Is a lip tie similar to a tongue tie, where it may be solved with a clipping? Did they offer you any solutions?

ETA, replied before I saw your response.

[Stingyshark]

Jan 13, 2014 13:52:11 GMT -5 oceanspray said:

Jan 13, 2014 13:00:57 GMT -5 Stingyshark said:

There is ONE LC for the ENTIRE county.

Sorry about all the trouble.  I hope it's resolved smoothly.

I'm not sure what the emoticon means? 

Neither of the 2 hospitals that deliver babies have lactation teams. When I've googled, the only thing that I was able to find was the one from the health dept, which was WIC, and the lady I found today, who is based in Tampa, which is an hour from here. 

When we asked our pediatrician for one, she gave us the health dept information,when we asked the health dept for one, they gave us the same lady. If there are others, they sure aren't easy to find.

[vmars]

That's crazy it took you this long to figure all of that out! ugh, I am sorry

Our hospital had LCs, but I met a few and only 2 were good (1 was excellent). Also, our pedi is the one who told us about the tongue tie & got the really good LC to come and see us in the hospital. The pedi also referred us to the ENT who clipped his tongue. Thankfully once we resolved the tongue tie issue BFing is way easier. My nipples were looking pretty bad the first week or so too, but he had a good latch & was gaining very well.

[rbp]

Jan 13, 2014 13:43:07 GMT -5 Stingyshark said:

According to the LC, there are three ways; it can be cauterized, clipped, or it can be fixed via cold laser. The Dr she referred us to does the cold laser.

Our goddaughter had to get something clipped in her tongue or lip. I didn't ask the parents about it at length, but they talked about it like it was NBD, and the results were a godsend.

I'm glad you were able to identify the problem, and I hope that the ENT can help you!

[Stingyshark]

Jan 13, 2014 14:23:03 GMT -5 oceanspray said:

I would think there would be more then one. Is that the norm? If so, I revoke my emoticon.

I can't imagine it's normal. We live in a rural area, which I'm sure is part of the reason why there are no LCs here; and if there are, I couldn't find them. 

When I finally found this LC she asked where I delivered and when I told her, she said, "you poor thing, they have no lactation team there." 

[Stingyshark]

Jan 13, 2014 14:25:55 GMT -5 rbp said:

Jan 13, 2014 13:43:07 GMT -5 Stingyshark said:

According to the LC, there are three ways; it can be cauterized, clipped, or it can be fixed via cold laser. The Dr she referred us to does the cold laser.

Our goddaughter had to get something clipped in her tongue or lip. I didn't ask the parents about it at length, but they talked about it like it was NBD, and the results were a godsend.

I'm glad you were able to identify the problem, and I hope that the ENT can help you!

The LC said that the treatment she recommends is about 30 seconds long and causes little pain. She acted like it was also NBD. She also said that sometimes it immediately fixes the problem, but that it can take a little while to see results with breastfeeding. 

[pinotgrig]

Glad you have an answer and that the fix sounds somewhat easy. What are your next steps as far as getting it resolved?

[Stingyshark]

Jan 13, 2014 14:52:46 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

Glad you have an answer and that the fix sounds somewhat easy. What are your next steps as far as getting it resolved?

The LC took pics oh her lip tie, which she will send to the ENt. According to the LC, the ent will do a phone consult after that we can schedule the proc to have it revised.

[pinotgrig]

Jan 13, 2014 15:10:50 GMT -5 Stingyshark said:

Jan 13, 2014 14:52:46 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

Glad you have an answer and that the fix sounds somewhat easy. What are your next steps as far as getting it resolved?

The LC took pics oh her lip tie, which she will send to the ENt. According to the LC, the ent will do a phone consult after that we can schedule the proc to have it revised.

That's great they can handle the upfront work somewhat remotely! Fingers crossed for a quick and speedy resolution!

Other than this issue, how's everything else going?

[Stingyshark]

Jan 13, 2014 15:12:27 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

Jan 13, 2014 15:10:50 GMT -5 Stingyshark said:

The LC took pics oh her lip tie, which she will send to the ENt. According to the LC, the ent will do a phone consult after that we can schedule the proc to have it revised.

That's great they can handle the upfront work somewhat remotely! Fingers crossed for a quick and speedy resolution!

Other than this issue, how's everything else going?

Everything with P is going very well. She sleeps like a champ & has been very low key, so far.

My gimped up leg is still the same.

[amaristella]

Did you check to see what the nearest La Leche League chapter is near you? They might also have a list of the lactation consultants in your area if you feel that you'd like to see someone again. Glad that you at least have an explanation for your troubles and hopefully they can be solved soon!

[Stingyshark]

Jan 13, 2014 17:01:44 GMT -5 amaristella said:

Did you check to see what the nearest La Leche League chapter is near you? They might also have a list of the lactation consultants in your area if you feel that you'd like to see someone again. Glad that you at least have an explanation for your troubles and hopefully they can be solved soon!

The nearest LLL is 45min-1hr away.

I'm pretty comfortable with this LCs eval. We are going to see the pediatric dentist ASAP,

[bugandbibs]

I'm glad you got it figured out. Our hospital LCs screen for tongue/lip ties at the 3 day check-up. It sucks that being so rural gives you less access to care. Hopefully you will see some improvement soon.

Tongue ties run in my family, and the correction is NBD when done young. My mom was bottle fed and never had it done and she can barely stick out her tongue. It's kinda funny to see.

[thejackpot]

Glad that you are getting some answers. Good luck with getting it resolved.

[litasail]

Good job persevering and getting help. My DS had a pretty severe tongue tie and once we got it clipped it was like night and day - SO much better. I hope you have the same experience!

[amaristella]

Because of this post I finally checked kiddo for (upper)lip tie and I'm pretty sure he has it. I checked him long ago for tongue tie and saw nothing but never thought to check his lip. I guess I'll be mentioning it at his next checkup. I'm so glad for this post!

[Stingyshark]

amaristella

Here is a picture I took earlier of DDs lip tie.

It is so strange to me how little it is talked about & how pedis don't check for it. My niece & my BFF both have them. Never revised, both had gaps in their front teeth & needed braces.