OK.....so after 3 weeks of suffering with sore nipples I'm just beside myself. This being my 4th kid, how can I possibly go see a lactation specialist? How embarrassing!! But today was the last straw. He was absolutely killing me! I knew something just wasn't right but I couldn't figure it out. So today I packed up Marshall and drove to Lincoln to see a lactation specialist who also happens to be an MD. She took one look at Marshall and said, "Oh, here's the problem....he's tongue-tied!"
You know that little piece of skin under your tongue that connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth? Well, in some babies that skin is so short or so far forward, it keeps the baby from getting the right "latch", causing severe nipple pain and inadequate milk production. So, before I could say "boppy pillow", the Dr. took Marshall and snipped his little "frenum" (it's called a "lingual frenotomy")!!! The procedure was really fast and I think he was more mad about being swaddled so tightly than the procedure itself. Afterward, the doctor immediately put him back on my breast to soothe him and because the sucking helps stop the bleeding. I never did see any blood.
It was simply amazing. He latched right on and I could immediately tell a difference. I couldn't wait to get home and nurse him again to make sure it wasn't a fluke. I am sooooo relieved! The moral of the story??.....That toe curling nipple pain IS NOT supposed to last beyond the first week!! If it does, something is not right!-even if it is your 4th kid! See a lactation specialist!
Well, that is a relief! glad all is well now! Can't wait to meet him! Love, your cousin
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