https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 17:48:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-946751 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:59:42 +0000 erinpye 946751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: do the exercises quickly and gently a couple times a day for 2 weeks. 1 week isn't enough. Also, get some bodywork done. Ask your LC for a referral for a craniosachral therapist and take your LO to 1-2 sessions. It's imperative to gently release some of the body and jaw stiffness due to overcompensations made while baby's jaw and mouth were so restricted. It will take time for your babe to relearn the correct way to latch- the only way he's ever known, even in the womb, was restricted. Nursing when sleepy, like at night, will be the easiest at first, and just keep trying. It's ok if it's only a minute or two, just keep offering and trying. Also make sure your supply is up enough- moms with TT'd LOs supplies often suffer because they haven't gotten proper stimulation and emptying to know to produce enough. Motherlove makes a supplement called More Milk that helped me (I couldn't take the plus version because it contains fenugreek, and while fenugreek can be very helpful for milk production, those with thyroid issues shouldn't use it). Eat oatmeal, drink lots of water, and pump a few times a day as well, especially if baby isn't nursing enough yet. It's hard work, but you WILL get there. You can also take a bath with your LO and nurse him in there- my LO loved that after her procedure. lots of skin-to-skin contact helped. Good luck, mama, and big hugs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-939552 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:19:37 +0000 Ra 939552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Thanks for the tip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-939540 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:13:10 +0000 hilsy85 939540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: ok good! I would also run a finger under LO's upper lip, along his gum to prevent that from re attaching...I wasn't told to do either of those things and LO's did re attach somewhat :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-939538 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:12:00 +0000 Ra 939538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: He just said to put our finger under his tongue and push it back once a day for a week or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-939531 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:08:22 +0000 hilsy85 939531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: yay! so glad to hear that!!<br /> ETA did they talk to you about doing exercises to help the lip and tongue from reattaching? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-939528 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:07:41 +0000 Ra 939528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Yes! Definitely less painful. I also noticed that he is able to hold his paci in for a lot longer. The procedure was much less invasive than I anticipated. He was more upset about his hands being held down than the procedure itself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-939520 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:04:50 +0000 hilsy85 939520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: so glad that you had the procedure done! But sorry to hear that he's on a boob strike? I don't have much advice/experience, but I would say maybe just continue to offer? Before and after bottles.... Will he nurse when he's really sleepy? </p> <p>Don't give up though! He's still so young that it's definitely possible to fix this. Has nursing been less painful since the clipping? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-939514 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:56:59 +0000 Ra 939514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all of your help ladies!</p> <p>I took B to the doctor today and he had both a tongue tie and a lip tie, both of which were corrected.</p> <p>Sadly, he is still on a boob strike. I am really not sure what to do at this point. He clearly prefers the bottle but I want so badly to bring him back to the breast. Has this happened to anyone else? Any tips on how to bring him back to the breast again?</p> <p>I was able to get him to nurse twice today for short periods of time. Both times were between feedings and both times started and ended with a screaming fit.</p> <p>I am at a loss as to what to do at this point. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-933230 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:17:51 +0000 Ra 933230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so happy to hear that the clip worked out so well for everyone. I never thought I would want to BF so badly. Before he was born I planned to BF because everyone says that it is "best." Now that he is here, I love the bonding we have when he BFs. I would be really upset if I had to EP. </p> <p> @Amelieisme: My mother also brought up the issue of a speech impediment. I was feeling really guilty about considering a procedure just to save myself pain/heartache. She mentioned that if I waited until he was older, and he ended up with a speech issue, that it would be much more traumatic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-932916 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:56:14 +0000 Amelieisme 932916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: I had a very similar story in that my pedi said there was no tie, but my LC was suspicious. I had ripped up nipples and LO had poor weight gain. Luckily, my LC knew where to refer me and she agreed. I had LO's tongue clipped in the office at 2 weeks and it was REALLY no big deal (I'm a physician though so I'm more accustomed to procedures). He started gaining weight and I healed up. It was great! We were able to BF to nearly a year.</p> <p>On a different note, my brother had a tie as a baby that was missed but then had speech problems later in life. He had to have it clipped at age 4 and it was much more difficult since he was eating. He had to re-learn to use his tongue to eat and couldn't eat regular food for weeks. So when there was suspicion that my LO had the same problem, she was adamant that we should go ahead and get it taken care of when he was small. Good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-932904 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:54:38 +0000 purrpletulips 932904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had DS' tongue tie and lip tie "clipped" actually done by laser at 5 weeks. He cried for all of about 5 minutes and had minimal bleeding afterwards. I wish I would have done it sooner. I had it done by a dentist and it was mostly covered by my dental insurance; however I know others who had their LO's clipped by the same dentist and their medical insurance covered it. Pain continued for a couple weeks until I realized that I had a mild case of thrush from the early trauma, once I treated that we were good to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-932763 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:31:45 +0000 hilsy85 932763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: good luck! Keep us posted! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-932725 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:21:11 +0000 erinpye 932725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: oh you poor mama, I really do feel your pain. Keep us posted! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-932718 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:19:23 +0000 birdofafeather 932718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we got her tongue tie clipped before 2 weeks old and it was totally easy. we didn't have an issue BFing, but who knows if we wouldn't have done it! i had the same questions you did, but heard no ill effects and only positive stories about doing it sooner than later! hers was obvious, but then the doc said she had a more posterior one, so had to do a second clip. more traumatic for me than her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-932710 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:17:39 +0000 Ra 932710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: That is what my LO does! He gets so angry at the boob. He screams, pulls off, bats at it, rips off the shield, etc. It is awful.</p> <p>I sincerely appreciate all of the advice from you ladies! I made an appointment this morning with a respected ENT in our area that does laser. We have an appointment on Wednesday morning, so I am hoping this can all be resolved! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-932385 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:09:09 +0000 erinpye 932385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: We didn't need a referral, but we also went out of the country, to see Dr. Jimmy Chan in Vancouver, BC (we're in the Seattle area), because he was the closest that does laser. We ended up doing it all out of pocket, but it was 100% worth it. </p> <p>I have that list, it's here: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BFcr9ZE_KvC4tb6QPLhA3Yrtc3GnCm4g9BIGLVXzUWE/edit?pli=1" rel="nofollow">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BFcr9ZE_KvC4tb6QPLhA3Yrtc3GnCm4g9BIGLVXzUWE/edit?pli=1</a><br /> (Dr. Chan was on the list when we went and saw him, and I'd still fully recommend him, he did an excellent job.)</p> <p>We are also getting our LO due in Feb. checked immediately in the hospital by an IBCLC I'm hiring, who has experience diagnosing ties. Not waiting a second when I know the trouble it can cause.</p> <p>@Kemma: yes :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931169 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 05:53:37 +0000 MrsRcCar 931169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>N was born with a significant tongue tie. The doctor commented on it right away. His tongue was tied all the way to his gum line. I was told by the doctor who delivered me that the ped would clip it before we left, however that didn't happen. About 11 days after his birth we met with an amazing ENT who clipped the tie and he scream for just a minute but was fine after. It didn't really help our nursing relationship because he also had a pretty big lip tie that we didn't notice until later. Getting his tongue clipped made it so he could eat and gain weight ( nursing was so painful and hard for both of us that I EP) When N was 4 months old we had his lip tie clipped and I wish we would have done it sooner. He doesn't suck anymore air, he doesn't click when he sucks. He can also hold his pacifier so much easier!<br /> Bottom line momma you know what's best for your lo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931164 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 05:39:36 +0000 hilsy85 931164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: yes! Totally agree! My Los lip tie was unfortunately not clipped and it continued to cause issues for us. First thing for future Los--have them checked in the hospital for ties!</p> <p>Also wdo you need a referral from your pedi? Can you just make an appt with an ENT on your own. There is a site somewhere on line that has a list of doctor in each state that perform the procedure, I will try to find it!</p> <p>Honestly, there is no reason NOT to do the procedure if you are having issues with nursing. It can only benefit you guys! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931146 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 04:24:53 +0000 Kemma 931146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: Can I say yes to just about everything you said?!</p> <p>I've actually read about tongue and lip tie causing "reflux" on the Nurshable blog and although my LO wasn't that extreme, she was a very spilly baby due to the amount of air she gulped down while feeding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931128 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:36:00 +0000 erinpye 931128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG please do it. Our ped, 2 before him, and 2 LCs didn't notice our DD had a type 4 posterior tongue tie and upper lip tie. She gained fine in the beginning. Then, by 5 weeks, she screamed, arched, flailed, and bit every single time I nursed her. She screamed all day long every day for 5 months, until she flat out refused to nurse at all and wouldn't eat. She had been diagnosed with acid reflux and put on Zantac at 8 weeks old and it did nothing. She vomited multiple times per day, wouldn't sleep unless she was held, and was miserable. Finally, I decided "reflux" wasn't the right diagnosis and did research of my own, found a specialist, and her ties were diagnosed. The DAY her ties were revised at 6 months old, the "reflux" stopped, the vomiting stopped, she stopped screaming, she nursed willingly and went 3 hours between feedings instead of trying to unsuccessfully feed every hour to hour and a half, she was settled, she slept. It is something I only wish we could have known about and corrected sooner. Please don't hesitate or wait.</p> <p>ETA: the colic from her swallowing all that air while unable to latch correctly was horrible and caused very deep PPD for me, and a horrible time for my DH and my marriage. The procedure saved us in a lot of ways and I would hate to see anyone else go through it when the procedure to fix it really is so simple. The frenulum when they are infants is thin and doesn't have much feeling, and it's worth it to prevent future pain, oral aversion, speech issues, etc. Further, a posterior tongue tie (types 3 and 4) are almost never ever seen without an upper lip tie also being present. If you have one, but not the other fixed, you will still have issues, so please have both areas checked. Also, bodywork such as craniosachral therapy is really important afterward, to help baby loosen up all overcorrections for an impeded jaw. Only 1-2 sessions are necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931093 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:53:12 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 931093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, LO had a posterior tongue tie and a lip tie and we just nursed through. At about 6w, he got better at nursing, despite that we never went through with the surgery. At about 8w, he was a pro.<br /> I didn't do it only because I was scared. Go for it if you want, but we ultimately didn't need to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931086 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:29:59 +0000 Boheme 931086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: It's all good now, if I could just fully wean him off the nipple shield! Progress! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931083 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:24:38 +0000 Kemma 931083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: I didn't realise you guys had a tongue tie, hope you're nursing is all good now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931082 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:23:19 +0000 Kemma 931082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Miss A had her tongue tie clipped at seven weeks and her lip tie done at eight and it made a world of difference to our nursing relationship!</p> <p>In terms of the actual procedure, I think it was more traumatic for me than for A, she nursed as soon as it was done and she was fine. We had to do stretching exercises four hourly for a couple of days and then we were good to go :-)</p> <p>Just think of it as a moment of short term pain for some serious long term gain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931079 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:19:43 +0000 Boheme 931079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO had his tongue tie clipped, and it was seriously no big deal! It took longer to sign in at the pedi's office than it did to clip. He cried for less than a minute - the second I started nursing him he was fine. It made a HUGE difference in his efficiency in eating, my pain levels, and his ability to latch. </p> <p>You are doing such an awesome job! Most people would've given up by now, and you're just soldiering on. B is a lucky little boy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931078 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:18:00 +0000 BunnyDragon 931078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LC told me that my LO was tongue tied on our first or second meeting. She gave me nipple shield to use as well. She referred us to ENT and we had it clipped when LO was 13 days old. LO cried and bled a little, but didn't seem bothered by it after the procedure. He fell asleep on our way back home and was his normal self all day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-931067 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:01:55 +0000 AprilFool 931067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My story is just like yours in that LO was gaining fine and was full but I had terrible nipple pain. We were told at birth that LO had a tongue tie but it seemed minor and she latched fine. In hindsight I feel a little let down by my midwives as LO clicked and I was kinda just told to work on my latch, even though they knew about the tie. At 4 weeks I broke down, I didn't think I could BF any longer, it was awful. In a last ditch effort I made an appt to have the tie checked. Not only did she have a tongue tie but a lip as well. We made an appt to have them clipped and I really struggled with going though with the procedure. It felt selfish, doing this to my baby so things would be better for me. I wish I had known earlier that babies don't have nerves under there yet, so while it's uncomfortable and they won't like it it shouldn't hurt them and I wouldn't of suffered for so long. </p> <p> LO handled the procedure amazingly well. Ours was done by a dentist who uses a lazer. They took LO back, we went outside (they preferred we were not there) and 10 minutes later they called to say all done. When we came back in LO wasn't even crying. The difference for us was immediate. No pain breastfeeding, it was amazing. </p> <p>I wouldn't be breastfeeding now if it wasn't for having them clipped, I would of given up long time ago. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-930633 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 18:44:13 +0000 hilsy85 930633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DO IT! IT is seriously the easiest procedure and will make a WORLD of difference in your LO's nursing...my LO had a posterior tongue tie and a lip tie; we had the tongue tie clipped at a week old and although it wasn't an overnight fix, it made a big difference in his latch and allowed me to continue nursing--I was at the point of pain/distress that I don't think I could have gone on if it hadn't improved. </p> <p>The procedure takes literally 2 seconds, and your LO will cry for probably a minute, nurse, and then be totally fine. I am so in favor of clipping tongue ties/lip ties after what we went through. Has he been checked for a lip tie as well? I would have the ENT check, as you might as well and lip ties also negatively impact nursing. </p> <p>Feel free to ask any other questions--I drove myself crazy doing a ton of research on this after LO was diagnosed with one and I have 100% been in your shoes! I also had major nipple trauma and pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-930630 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 18:43:23 +0000 Tidybee 930630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the same exact thing. A "seasoned" (old) pedi said she didn't have a tongue tie. 2 LCs said yes. A week later we went to a younger pedi who said yes, minor tongue tie. We did the snipping and while it was tough to hear DD wail when they did it, she cried for maybe 5 seconds and the doc helped her latch right on. It didn't solve our problems the way I expected it to but maybe it helped. Eventually she needed craniosacral therapy to relieve the tension in her jaw and neck to help her latch better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-tongue-ties#post-930628 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 18:40:51 +0000 Bookish 930628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our pediatrician said LO has a tongue tie, but did not give us a type. Whatever it is, it prevents her from latching without a shield. He said we could get it clipped, but that if I was ok with the shield, that it might not be worth it. We decided to just see how it goes.. I've managed to get her to latch for a couple sucks at a time, so I'm cautiously optimistic we can wean from the shield.</p> <p>I'm sorry you are having a rough time! :( I think your determination is amazing! </p>