Frequently Asked
Question's
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION's
1. How do I know if my baby is not feeding effectively?
You will know if you see any of the following:
BABY
- Restless and frantic feeding
- Coming on and off the breast frequently throughout the feed
- Never seems satisfied throughout or after a feed
- Infrequent passing of stools
- Infrequent passing of urine
- Weight loss or slow weight gain
- Lethargy and disinterest in feeding
- Slow prolonged feeds
- Clicking sounds
- Dribbling milk during feeding
- Colic, Hiccoughs, Wind, Flattulence, Reflux
- Shallow latch / Nipple feeding
MUM
- Painful feeds
- Flattened, damaged or elongated Nipples following a feed
- Cracked, bleeding Nipples
- Discoloured nipples (White, red, purple)
- Engorged swollen breasts
- Hot, Hard, Tight, Painful breasts (Mastitis)
- Sharp breast pain after feeding (Thrush)
- Difficulties producing milk
2. If my baby is not feeding well, what can I do about it?
Don’t struggle alone – Seek trained help, advice and support at your earliest convenience. There are many support groups and breastfeeding cafes. If you live locally – Try this local Wednesday coffee morning in Leek Wootton by clicking this link .
3. What is a Tongue-tie?
Tongue-tie (otherwise known as Ankyloglossia) is where the tongue is attached too tightly to the floor of the mouth by the frenulum, so as toav restrict the movement and function of the tongue. This can affect basic functions such as the suck, swallow, breathe coordination. Sometimes it can affect management of milk flow, boluses of food when weaning, and later speech development (although not always).
4. Why does tongue-tie occur?
Research suggests that it occurs during embryonic development when the floor of the mouth fails to separate adequately. This is thought to be linked to congenital and environmental factors
5. How would I know if my baby has a tongue-tie?
Sometimes a tongue-tie can be obvious to see by its appearance, however, many are not obvious and require a professional assessment of your baby’s tongue function and feeding history to identify if a restriction is present and affecting the feeding.
6. Does Tongue-tie have a family link?
Yes – Tongue-tie can be hereditary (run in the family). It is also more common with males, research suggests a range of opinions from 3:1 to 2:1 Male:female ratio.
7. What is a Frenulotomy?
Frenulotomy is where the tight frenulum is divided or released to allow free movement of the tongue. This is performed by a trained and regulated healthcare professional. A pair of sharp, curved, round-ended scissors are used to cut the frenulum so as to release the restriction. The cut opens into a small diamond shape under the tongue.
8. Does it hurt my baby?
Research and experience suggests that very few babies experience pain associated with this procedure under the age of 1 year. The procedure takes only 2-3 seconds and most babies will initially have a short cry, feed immediately following the procedure and settle thereafter. Parents are advised that their baby will in many cases be rather unsettled and fussy with feeding for the first 48 hours, so to expect this.
9. Will there be any blood?
Yes there will usually be a small amount of blood, typically less than 1ml and bleeding ceases quickly with feeding. The majority of babies have stopped bleeding within a few minutes. In a few babies virtually no bleeding is seen, a few other babies may take a little longer. Heavy bleeding is extremely rare but a recognised risk.
10. How will I know if it will work?
Babies often need to re-adapt to their new range of tongue movement and relearn a different sucking technique. The time this process takes varies from baby to baby. There may also be a period of relearning a different technique for position and attachment for the mother too. The practitioner will talk you through everything thoroughly so you are fully informed. Depending on the severity of the restriction will depend on how much of a difference you will see in the feeding. However, even where the restriction is border-line, it can make a marked improvement to your enjoyment, effectiveness and comfort of feeding. However, there are no guarantees that it will be a “Quick Fix”, and any treatment must be accompanied by skilled feeding support. Some babies will also require Craniosacral Therapy or Cranial Osteopathy to further release any residual jaw and neck tension. Babies sometimes have a high (Vaulted or bubble) palette that may contribute to difficulties and this may lower in time for breastfeeder’s, but is a longer process.
11. Are there any risks with this procedure – Is it safe?
As with any intervention risks are to be considered carefully and thorough assessments ensures any intervention is warranted. Bleeding, infection, pain and regrowth are the main risks, the most common being bleeding. However, research shows this risk to be minimal, especially when thorough history has been taken and all precautions covered.
The procedure has been researched in many trials, reviews, case reports and National guidance panels. NICE Guidance (2005) & The Cochrane Systematic Review (2017) have deemed it a safe and effective procedure for sustaining breastfeeding.
12. Will I be offered any follow-up care?
Absolutely – Follow-up Emails will be sent to you at 24 hours, 5 days, 10 days and 14 days. After tongue-tie division you will have the option to book a FREE wound check-up in the clinic at 1 week post op. Further Clinic follow-ups are available to book, which are the most cost effective. If a reformation is identified 6 weeks + post division just book a reformation assessment appointment.
We will initially assess the feeding post procedure and assist you and baby to optimise the feed. This applies to breast and bottle feeding. You will be given a thorough understanding of how to observe the wound post procedure. Support via Email, text or telephone is provided free of charge for up to 6 weeks – you will be given all relevant contact details in case of illness. Follow-up appointments can be booked online via the website if you have any ongoing concerns or just need reassurance.
13. Is there anything else that may help to improve the feeding post procedure?
Yes – Craniosacral Therapy has been shown to compliment the treatment especially for babies who have experienced a traumatic and abrupt entrance to the world (i.e. Forceps delivery, Kiwi/Ventouse delivery, Precipitate (quick) delivery, or Caesarean Section).