Breastfeeding a baby with a tongue tie:

If you are interested in breastfeeding and your baby has a tongue tie, this is what you should know. 

When my second son was born, the nurses and doctors wasted no time informing me of his tongue tie. If you are a new mom, I can see how this would cause panic. However, because he was my second, I was not anxious and knew not to jump to conclusions. Read about my first experience with breastfeeding here.

In short, this is how I proceeded in my breastfeeding journey after being told about the tongue tie.

 

1. • Speak with someone you trust! When I got the news, as I said before, I waited for my doctor to talk to me. My doctor and I have a close relationship (at least, I think so), so I asked her questions because she keeps it honest. After my doctor examined my baby, she told me he had a slight tongue tie, but he should be alright if he could latch and breastfeed without any problems.

1. • Take a deep breath! This can be hard, especially after having a baby, but it’s necessary for a semi-clear mind. Make sure to breathe or find a room to take a deep breath. A tongue tie is not the end of the world. Although it can make breastfeeding difficult, it could also change nothing! 

1. • Ask questions! I asked questions like, could this potentially be a problem down the line? What are the effects of a tongue tie? And what do I do? Whatever you want to know, ask about it. It helps calm your mind.

1. • Avoid Negative Comparisons! Before you get trapped in the worst-case scenario, know that everyone’s situation is different. You have a different baby, and you are a different mom. There are different levels of tongue ties, and you may have a different pain experience; please do not allow it to scare you into making a decision. Take the information you need and make decisions based on your strengths and weaknesses and your newborns.

1. • Prepare and move forward! Because my son has latched, I decided to endure and breastfeed him without removing the tongue tie or switching to formula. For me, breastfeeding started uncomfortable compared to my first experience breastfeeding, but it has been doable. Of course, like everything else in my postpartum journey, as time has passed, it is more accessible, and the discomfort has decreased. 

Breastfeeding is easy now, especially the latching. I scabbed up within the first week or so. However, it wasn’t as bad as the scabbing the first time around. So far, my first experience with breastfeeding was better because it felt more comfortable. I also didn’t feel the strong tingle feeling (or maybe I should say nails on a chalkboard) when the milk began to fill up. 

One thing is for sure, though: I will be pumping this time. I pumped twice (literally) with my first son. However, I am ready to pump and search for the breast pump that is perfect for my lifestyle.

I will update you all on how the pumping phase of my breastfeeding journey goes very soon.