You’ve waitied 9 months for baby to arrive. You’ve had visions of blissfully looking down on your new infant as he or she feeds. He or she eats until stuffed, and slumbers peacefully while you rest or take care of yourself. Isn’t it dreamy?

Until it’s not.

Sometimes breastfeeding isn’t that easy, and on occassion it can even be more than position changes, or learning the breastfeeding curve. One of the things we see at RCW when mothers are experiencing challenges with nursing is a tongue or lip tie in baby’s mouth. An undiagnosed lip or tongue tie can affect the nursing relationship – and impact baby’s long term feeding too. Dr. Beth and Dr. Abby are trained to evaluate babies to see if a lip tie may be present. They can assist you in getting the care you need if they suspect a tie could be preventing that blissful vision of feeding.

Things to look for on Mother:

• Cracked, blistered, bleeding nipples
• Plugged ducts
• Discomfort while nursing
• Sleep deprivation (because baby is not able to effectively nurse, he or she may compensate by nursing more often, including through the night)
• Thrush/mastitis
• Compromised milk supply

Baby’s symptoms:

• Reflux or colic
• Difficulty latching
• Gumming or chewing on nipples
• Gassy
• Poor weight gain
• Makes clicking noise while suckling
• Excessive drooling
• Choking on milk or detaching from breast to gasp for air

Nursing shouldn’t be uncomfortable or difficult. If you suspect something may be preventing baby from a full tummy at feeding time, schedule an appointment so we can work with you to find a solution! We’ve got you!