Taylor Family 505: February 2014

I used to think when someone said you were tongue tied that you stumbled over your words, but now the term "tongue tied" has a whole new meaning to me. A few weeks ago I went to a meeting with a lactation consultant and she mentioned that Camber's tongue looked a little tight (that he couldn't really lift it or stick it out) and that might have been why we were having so many problems breastfeeding. I happened to be at a baby and mama group the next week where one of the moms mentioned having to go to Bettendorf to get her daughter's tongue tie revised. She offered to invite me to a support group on Facebook where I could look for information and see if I thought Camber fell into that category as well. We went to an ENT (ear, nose, throat) Doctor and he clipped the frenulum that connects his tongue to the bottom of his mouth. I asked about doing stretching exercises which was brushed off as if the clipping would totally fix the problem. I should have trusted my instincts (we should have done stretches). It improved for about three days and then reattached. I went back to the ENT to ask about a lip tie as well (Camber can't flange his upper lip-again causing breastfeeding issues). The ENT said that wouldn't impact breastfeeding, but would clip it if I wanted him to. Come to find out, this ENT wanted to put him under general anesthesia to do this procedure. I was NOT ok with doing this to my 5 week old if it wasn't truly necessary.

I went home and posted pictures of Camber's lip and tongue on the support group on Facebook and had responses within seconds. I found that dentist in Bettendorf, Mindy Hochesang that used a laser for tongue and lip ties and did not need to put him "under" to do the procedure. She offered to give up her lunch hour for us to come and have this done. She sent me tons of resources through email and answered a ton of questions for me. On Wednesday, February 12th we hopped in the car and drove the three hours to Bettendorf for her to laser Camber's lip and tongue ties. The actual procedure took just a few minutes and we were back in the car less than an hour later. Camber slept the whole way there and back. When we got home he nursed really well.

I was not prepared for the next few days. All I had read said they might be a little fussy but some extra nursing and they should be fine. Camber was not. He was very sore because of the extra work they had to do on his tongue to revise the tongue tie. His tongue was swollen and sore. After lots of nursing, love, snuggles, and a little teething gel we made it through the next five days (barely!) There were a lot of tears (I am not sure who cried more Camber or Mama).

He is now doing amazing: finally nursing successfully, gaining a good amount of weight, and sleeping because his belly is finally full!

We may have to go back to have his tongue revised again, because his was such a severe posterior tongue tie and reattachment can occur despite our best efforts at the stretching exercises. Overall I have been over-the-moon impressed with the dentist from Bettendorf. She texted or called me everyday since the procedure to ask how he was doing and told me to text her day or night if I needed something! I have never had a medical professional offer that kind of support! She is AMAZING!

I am disappointed that the Des Moines metro doesn't support tongue and lip ties more. I think this is a huge problem and people just don't know about it. I think this issue causes countless breastfeeding issues and people just give up breastfeeding because they don't know what else to do. Trust me, I was ready to give it up many times in the last few weeks, but I am so glad we pushed through. Looking back, we were really in the right place at the right time to hear about this amazing dentist and other supports.

After getting home we needed to see a lactation consultant that knew a lot about tongue and lip ties and a chiropractor that specializes in craniosacral therapy in babies with tongue and lip ties. Trying to find those were difficult, but we found LeAnn an amazing lactation consultant who has given us so many tips to make breastfeeding successful. Tammy, Camber's new chiropractor, has really helped with his jaw and ultimately his tongue.

I hope that this is something that more medical professionals can start supporting so that new moms don't feel discouraged while breastfeeding. I have definitely learned to trust my "mama instincts" and push what I know is right!

Our little man has been through more than is fair for his short 6 weeks of life, but we know that he is stronger because of it. He is such a little fighter (and so stinking cute).

Starting to stick that tongue out! He couldn't do that before!

Push-ups!

Look at those eyes!

I can't believe how fast the last month has gone. It seems like just last week we brought Camber home. I love being a mama and can't imagine life without my little man. Camber has had an eventful first month of life in this world, starting with a week in the NICU. We are so proud of Camber as he has proved to be a fighter!

Since being home we have settled into a routine (if you can call it that!). Camber does an amazing job at night sleeping 4-5 hours each night followed by another 3-4 hours after a middle-of-the-night feeding. This mama appreciates a few hours of sleep! During the day Camber is a little sweetheart, but in the evening we can definitely attest to the "witching hour" that so many speak of. From about 6-10 Camber is not a very happy baby. Some evenings are better than others, but he is generally more fussy during this time of day. He just needs so extra love, which is perfect because both Doug and I are here to love and snuggle him!

Camber's first bath at home was not much fun for him. He just shivered (and cried) the entire time. We went and bought a small space heater which helps warm up the area and now he loves bath time. Camber loves to be talked to and has even started to give a small smile.

Over the first month Camber has has many visitors; we will have many more people to meet in the coming weeks.

Just yesterday Camber had to have his tongue clipped. The frenulum, the skin that holds the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, was too tight, which meant he was having trouble getting enough milk. It was a quick and easy procedure although both Camber and I hated it. He nursed right after and was moving his tongue around kind of confused as to why it was moving like that. We are hoping this keeps him fuller and helps him get better quality sleep during his naps.

As of Monday Camber weighs in at 10 lbs. 1 oz and is 22 1/4 inches long.

Doug and I are just so proud of our little man. He has had quite a few hurdles in just one short month, but he always fights right through them and for all that he has gone through he really is a happy, sweet boy. We have only had him for one month, but already I don't know what we did before Camber. We are in love that is for sure.