Laura writes:
She reports that baby is latching well only 20% of the time and often
slips after achieving a good latch. She is reluctant to try CST because it is
just one more thing that may not work. I think she wants to hear from
someone who experienced that CST helped them with attaining a better latch post
frenotomy. If there aren't any mom's here who have this experience, she
may be helped by communicating with an LC who has helped many moms in her
situation who had success. I think she just needs some encouragment that
things will get better.
~~~ Hi Laura,
I can speak as a LLLLeader, an IBCLC, and an aunt of two tongue-tie little
ones. My professional experience is that it can take 3-4 weeks after
release, for baby to go through the phases needed to become more skilled at
breastfeeding. First, baby gets more motion ( can latch and nurse well sometimes
but not others, or latches a fatigues, slips as you said ) then baby gets
more strength, and can latch more or stay longer and transfer more milk
though perhaps not a full feeding or not at every feeding, then baby gains
the stamina to do this at more and more nursings, til hopefully at all of
them. I've seen this pattern over and over especially with babies whose tongue
restrictions have been more posterior. I also think CST has been very
helpful for some of these babies, though not every single one. I know it is
usually out of pocket, but it is so often helpful, it's usually worth trying at
least once or twice. The local practitioner here is so skilled and caring,
no one has ever said it was a waste of money, even if it didn't get them
exactly where they wanted to go. My sister's children both had releases
done. ( I was not her LC, but had the lovely Barbaras ( L and LZ) to help her.
I think my nephew's was super tight, a Type 4, submucosal element to it. I
attended the release. It was a different doctor, a very bloody procedure (
the most I'd ever seen, which makes me wonder....,) he never had bodywork
and my sister never was able to stand full nursing due to pain. She nursed
about 3 times a day, and gave her own milk at all other feedings. She
pumped for 12 months though he weaned around 9. My niece, second baby, couldn't
latch well or move milk, and fatigued or got frustrated quickly. I did the
eval for her this time and I would think this was a Type 3, a little more
movement perhaps but nowhere near enough for function. I was not there for
the release, as she made the wise decision to go to Albany, NY to see Dr.
Kotlow. ( I had heard excellent things, and I figured there would be
parking!) She never did take the baby for bodywork, but with the help of Barbara LZ
on rethinking positioning ( a key element I found, she was trying to use
the same position that didn't work before and needed to try something a
little more helpful), and not giving up, in about 3-4 weeks she had a fully
breastfeeding baby. I do think the CST might have accelerated progress, but
I'm glad she made it in the end even without it. I would guess I've worked
with many families who have been through this journey. Not all babies do
better, but most, and I do mean most, do. My nephew was later diagnosed with
sensory and motor and speech issues. Again I wish he had bodywork, but
that's that.
Don't know if that helps, but there it is.
Peace,
Judy
Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY, USA
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