https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 18:00:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702745 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:44:13 +0000 hilsy85 1702745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: yes! I breastfed LO til 18.5 months :) I NEVER would have thought that was possible because the first few months were so awful. But we were successful, in large part due to a GREAT LC who showed me exercises to do with LO to help him re learn how to use his tongue properly. </p> <p>In terms of supply, I think I actually had somewhat of an oversupply, luckily--if I had a normal supply, I think it probably would have tanked with LO's poor latch. As it was, I think it just evened out to a normal supply. Although, looking back, I did struggle with LO not gaining weight for a while, but that was when he was 4/5/6 months old, and the TT had been revised. So who knows. All I know is with my next LO I am insisting on a TT check in the hospital, since it can be genetic. </p> <p>Are you using a hospital grade pump? I used that when it hurt too much to nurse LO and I found it to be really effective at removing milk. I would just keep doing what your doing. Your milk supply is still really malleable in the first 6-12 weeks so you are still well within that critical period, where you can increase your supply much more easily than later on. So I think you will be in good shape once the TT is taken care of and you know the exercises to do with LO--or cranio sacral therapy! @tidybee had the same issues with her LO and I think she found CS therapy helpful--maybe wall her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702741 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:42:58 +0000 tysonja 1702741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't get a chance to read everything, but just wanted to chime in with I think the quickest route would be a good choice :). my LO got it done around his 2nd week of life by a nurse. It only took 1 second and didn't hurt him much at all. it was over in a flash! :)</p> <p>hope that it helps your LO! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702735 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:39:53 +0000 Mae 1702735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: @PurplePeony: also, once the tongue tie was clipped were you successful with BF? Did it stop hurting so bad? If you had supply issues, did they resolve at all? My main goal is to just not have BF hurt/injure me anymore so that we can actually do it. But I am definitely hopeful my supply will increase when we can BF effectively (LC thinks LO is not being effective at draining my boobs and I don't have time to pump any more than I'm already doing, which is every 2 hrs all day). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702728 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:37:50 +0000 Mae 1702728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: I know! And I asked! But no one saw it. :( I guess because you can't really see it, only feel it. (And even now it is only suspected because I haven't seen a doc!). </p> <p>@PurplePeony: We are doing lasering, not traditional clipping (we could have it done the traditional way in town, but LC strongly recommended the lasering, which is why we have to travel). But we will definitely follow instructions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702661 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:09:42 +0000 LBee 1702661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumuckl: That is brilliant!!! Especially since the complaint is that it's not a "full cut!" Dr. N can make sure everything looks squared away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702554 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:35:04 +0000 PurplePeony 1702554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: we had my DD's posterior tongue tie clipped at 5 weeks and I'm glad we didn't wait. I wish we could have had it lasered, but nobody around here does it (closest is in Canada) so we had to do it the old-fashioned way. So I know what it's like to feel conflicted!</p> <p>That said, unless it's lasered, the skin can reattach even if the best of the best doctor clips it. I wonder if that's what happened to some of those patients? You and your DH will need to be vigilant about following instructions for stretching, even past the point where it seems to be healed up. I don't have advice on M vs B, but I would not wait until July. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702478 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:12:21 +0000 hilsy85 1702478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I remember suggesting that she could have a TT to you way back when you were first having pain...it's so unfortunate that these things are often overlooked! And yes, I am lucky it was caught early, but even those 2 weeks before it was cut seemed like an eternity, so I can only imagine how you feel! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702473 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:11:27 +0000 Mae 1702473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: true!</p> <p>@Pumuckl: that's a fantastic idea... if we go with Dr. M i think we will definitely do that!</p> <p>@hilsy85: thanks for your input! And you're so lucky they caught it so early! LO's tie is not obvious by sight and I'm bummed it wasn't caught until 4 weeks even though I'd seen 4 different LCs and 2 different peds! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702451 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:06:29 +0000 hilsy85 1702451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I was in this EXACT situation. We found out LO had a tongue tie when he was about 6 days old. The next day, Hurricane Sandy happened. I had planned to take L to "the best" ENT in the city, but her office was downtown and there was no knowing when she'd re open--could have been a few days, could have been weeks. So instead I took LO to an ENT that had an appt that Friday. I was SO DESPERATE to get it taken care of because I was in so much pain and nursing was torture. </p> <p>It ended up working out ok--apparently that ENT didn't do the best job clipping the TT, and she didn't do the lip tie. I know this because when LO was 3 months old, I finally made an appt with "the best" ENT to see if she could do anything about his lip tie, and whether that could cause any future issues. She basically said she would have done it better if I had come to her first, and if his lip tie/remaining TT was still causing issues, she could cut them at that point, but they weren't, so she didn't do anything. </p> <p>So my vote would be to go to the doctor who can see you soonest, AND make an appt for July 10th with the best doctor. If the first doctor for some reason doesn't do the best job, and you're still having pain, you can go for a 2nd opinion on July 10th, at which time the "best" doctor can revise the frenulectomy if necessary. Or, if you don't need that appt, you can cancel. </p> <p>Who ever you see, I would have them check for a lip tie--those almost always go along with posterior tongue ties and also affect nursing negatively! And don't be discouraged about getting LO back to the breast--it may take some work but it can happen if that's what you want!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702435 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:02:28 +0000 Pumuckl 1702435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Can you take her in to Dr. M and keep the appointment with Dr. N so he can check it out once the procedure was done? When hopefully everything will be better really soon after having it clipped you could then procede to cancel the appointment with Dr. N if not he can check it out without having to make a new appointment. </p> <p>(I hope that makes sense, I'm terrible at wording my thoughts...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702406 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:55:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1702406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Well obviously you want to get this resolved. But maybe if you go to the doctors that can get you in now (M or B), if you aren't comfortable or don't get a good vibe, you should be able to say "thanks we will consider your advice and get back to you". You aren't committed to actually having them do the procedure just because you are there. It would suck to have to wait and waste a trip, but its also not worth having a procedure done to your daughter that you aren't comfortable with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702401 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:53:02 +0000 pui 1702401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I can completely understand that... it always sucks to wait for medical care.</p> <p>I don't think you'd be a bad mom for going with the another doctor! I think you need to do what you feel is best for your family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702393 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:50:10 +0000 Mae 1702393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: None of them are local. They are all 1.5 hours away. And we sort of need to plan ahead because my mom is going to drive down (from 2 hrs in the other direction) to go with me to the appointment. I'm nervous about driving 1.5 hours alone with Fiona and my husband can't take more time off work right now. :/ </p> <p>@pui: If it was a doc for me 3.5 weeks doesn't seem long.. but for her, and to fix an issue that comes up 8-12 times/day (feeding her)... it seems like foreverrrr. but, I get the feeling! I sort of feel like I'm being a bad mom if I don't wait for the BEST. But then I feel like waiting for the best might further hurt our chances of a successful BF relationship and maybe good enough is good enough if it means we'll be able to actually BF moving forward... sigh. Hence the post! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702387 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:47:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1702387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you do the consultation meeting with the local two? Just to get a feel/vibe for them and opinion on the tie? Maybe you can rely on your gut once you meet them, but its hard to decide on just recommendations. </p> <p>In the mean time, I would see if you could be on the cancellation list for the further doctor. I would even call frequently (maybe weekly or twice a week) to ask about cancellations or if they could fit you in on a slow day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702381 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:45:54 +0000 pui 1702381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Man, waiting until July 10 doesn't seem like a big deal at all to me... but maybe it's just because I had to wait months and months to be seen by an RE. I'd personally wait for the best doctor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702348 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:33:54 +0000 gilmoregirl 1702348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not going to vote, because I really don't know, but it sounds like one of the doctors who can get you in sooner might be best for you and your family. This is a really tough spot to be in and I hope it works out well for you -- asap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702318 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:27:35 +0000 Boheme 1702318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd get it clipped ASAP if EP is causing you undue stress, especially since you're alone with your LO all day. We had DS's tongue tie clipped as soon as we could, that way he didn't develop a big preference for the bottle. I'd go for the Friday appointment! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702317 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:27:09 +0000 Mae 1702317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Yea I already have the name of a CS therapist we may contact after the procedure if we need to. My LC was hopeful that if I got it fixed soon my LO wouldn't need that, but it is definitely on my radar! Thanks! And yea I am worried about her on the bottle for that long too. I am still BF her twice/day (before bed and first night time wakeup) just to try to keep her remembering how to BF and because it puts her to sleep best. But every day my nipples start to heal and every night she rips them open again... sigh. Another reason I want this done ASAP! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702310 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:24:58 +0000 Anagram 1702310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very tough choice. I was in your shoes and there was only 1 specialist who did tongue ties at the time and it took 6 freaking weeks to get in to see her and I do think that's why my LO was never able to nurse properly--by the time her tongue was fixed, she was too old and too used to the bottle.</p> <p>So I would go with either of the doctors that can see you sooner. My LC also recommended I made appointments with a cranial-sacral therapist so that LO could relearn how to use her tongue with all the new movement. So maybe look into one of those as well? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702309 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:24:45 +0000 Mae 1702309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>lol... first 3 votes are one for each. Glad that I'm at least not crazy for being totally torn.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picking-a-doc-to-cut-a-tongue-tie-so-torn#post-1702297 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:20:52 +0000 Mae 1702297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my daughter is 5 weeks old tomorrow and we have struggled with breastfeeding the whole time. After working with the LCs in the hospital and then an outpatient LC once we were home, it has finally been suggested that she probably has a posterior tongue tie that is causing all or most of our issues (low supply, extremely painful latch, continuously causing damage to my nipples). </p> <p>My LC recommended two doctors to do the procedure. Unfortunately there are only a few in our state that do it and they are all 1.5 hours away. She said one of them, Dr. N, is the "best" and has been doing it by far the longest-- but is really hard to get into. I called his office and can get in on July 10. </p> <p>Due to the severity of the issues we're having I am having to basically EP for right now which is incredibly hard since I am home alone with her all day, and will soon be home alone with her 2 nights/week as well. For this reason the LC recommended we get this taken care of ASAP and said Dr. M is also very good and she's had great experiences with him. He can get us in this Friday, so I made an appointment. </p> <p>After making the appointment though, I talked to a friend whose daughter had had a tongue tie and he told me that his LC warned them against going with Dr. M. So I called that LC and she said that she had several patients who had seen him and he had not completely cut the tie and they had to have it revised-- so she doesn't send people to him anymore and strongly recommends people go to Dr. N. She said if I can't wait for him, she could also recommend Dr. B (who can get me in next Tuesday). </p> <p>I called our LC back and she said she'd never heard anything negative about Dr. M and has sent lots of patients there with great results, so that would still be her recommendation. She has never heard of Dr. B so she had no opinion. </p> <p>I'm so torn. I really want to get this issue fixed ASAP because I feel like EP is not sustainable for me for the next 3.5 weeks... and because I feel like every day we wait lessens my chance of being able to get my supply up (I make only about half or less of what she eats and we supplement with formula-- I'm hoping once the tongue tie is fixed and I can go back to BF it will help raise my supply at least some). But I hate not going to "the best." I really like my LC and I trust her, but it makes me nervous to have heard something bad about Dr. M. I can't find any reviews either way on any of these docs online. </p> <p>I know ultimately my husband and I have to make this decision, but I feel like hearing other opinions might help me sort out my feelings on the matter, what would you do? </p> <p>Dr. N- undisputed best but I have to wait 3.5 weeks and I worry about being about EP that long and about hurting my supply further</p> <p>Dr. M- my LC's recommendation and can get me in this Friday, but another LC doesn't like him.</p> <p>Dr. B- My LC has never even heard of him, but the other LC likes him and he can get me in a week from tomorrow. </p>