Tongue Tie

Just really needed to vent. You all know how worried I was about breastfeeding. Well with a lot of time effort and pain we were doing ok. Callan lost 9% of his bodyweight and took over 3weeks to gain it back and even thn he was only 1/2oz over, that was last Tuesday. Anyway since last Wed the pain has gotten worse rather than better. So today I went to a local Baby Cafe breastfeeding support thing with lactation specialists. It appears Callan has some Tongue tie issues. We decided we would wait until I had him weighed to see if I was just going to tolerate the pain or do something about it. I was convinced he was bigger and had gained weight, took him to the clinic this afternoon to be weighed and he has lost weight and is now back below his birthweight. Only by 1/2 oz but still at 5weeks 1day he should not be below it. I totally broke down in the clinic in tears. My DH doesn't know what to say. Everyone keeps saying it is no big deal and I know that when they cut it to fix it, it will be ok. But I am devastated I know it is a simple precedure and I know he needs it. But emotionally I am so upset. This time when bf was going ok I was struggling knowing he was getting enough milk. Figured when he was weighed today and he had gained I wouldn't over that. I feel like a complete failure I hate it.

I know it will all be ok but that doesn't help how I feel right now. We are back to supplementing 2 formula bottles a day and I am back to expressing after every feed and doing breast compressions whilst feeding. My beautiful little boy just needs to gain weight :(

Sorry this was so long.

:bigarmhug: I have no experience with tounge ties, but I want to offer you support. I think you're doing an amazing job, and I hope that once it is fixed that Callan really starts gaining weight for you.

You're doing awesome. A lot of women would have given up after realizing they had to pump after every feeding. Hang in there. I know it's hard to have a little peanut not gain wieght. Abby had a tough time gaining as well and it's hard to not put the blame on yourself.

just wanted to add that when I was 5 I had the proceedure to clip underneath my tounge. Apparently my dentist noticed that I was tounge tied or that it was getting worse...not really sure since I was 5. Anyways, it really was an easy proceedure. I got a huge milkshake afterwards and don't recall it taking long to be able to eat real food again. Will they go ahead and do it now or wait until he's older?

We are having the same problems with gaining weight but Kai isnt tongue tied. I wish I had some answers. I supplemented him the week before last and he gained 9 ounces but when he has just been bfing he has neither lost nor gained. The week we supplemented I was bfing, giving a bottle then pumping. I dont really want to go back to doing that, it wore me out! But Kai has been bfing like every 1 1/2 hours-2 hours and it just isnt enough so I will have to give him formula at least a few times a day I guess. It does feel like such a failure and is so frustrating when you are trying so hard. And then I feel like I am being a bad Mom since he isnt getting what he needs. I just dont know what to do.
When will they do Callans surgery?

I'm so sorry your little guy isn't gaining easily. My DD is tongue tied but they never did anything about it because she nursed and gained weight well. I really hope clipping it helps, or you find something to help him chub up :).

Thanks guys I appreciate your support. It seems like since we found out yesterday he has discovered he is hungry and either eats or cries, or naps for only a min or two at a time unless we go out and he sleeps in his carseat. I am expressing and literally getting only one or two drops each time. I think due to his inability to suck properly my milk supply has slowed down a lot but I didn't realise.

Jules, I am not sure they were faxing through our referral yesterday afternoon and it typically takes 7 to 10 days. They put on it about his weightloss and that is was urgent so who knows. The lactation consultant was concerned they may not do it at the local hospital due it no being at the front. It is at the back but thick and short. If they won't do it which we will not know until our appt then we will have to go private. Hoping due to weightloss they will do it.

I agree about feeling like a failure it sucks, thy say bf is the most natural thing out there, it sure does not feel like it. I am in so much pain I seriously could cry at most feeds, even when I am not feeding they hurt and are so sore.

I hope Kai gains weight for you soon, my other two gained quick and this is all new territory for me And I do not like it :(

I'm sorry! :( A friend of mine had a tongue tied baby and once it was clipped, he was nursing like a champ. You're doing great! I'm sure once its clipped it'll be a thing in the past. KUP!