Baby (Nursing)
Comfortable and effective nursing for you and your newborn is our goal at the Iowa Center.
Many moms and infants struggle with nursing unnecessarily. The most common cause of this struggle is a tongue-tie and/or lip-tie. These ties can be difficult to identify but when treated properly result in normal, comfortable nursing of your newborn. Imagine rubber-banding your wrists together and trying to successfully complete all your daily activities. This is what your infant experiences when they are born with an excessive lip-tie or tongue-tie. They are unable to nurse and swallow properly and this causes a host of problems for baby, mother and family!
Problems associated with tongue tie
Baby’s Problems:
- a short, shallow, ineffective latch
- un-sustained latch
- sliding off the nipple
- prolonged episodes of non-nutritional breastfeeding attempts
- falling asleep before finished nursing
- unable to hold onto a pacifier
- poor weight gain, resulting in a “failure to thrive” diagnosis
- chronic crying
- sleeping only when held up right or in an infant car seat
- signs of mourning congestion with silent sleeping stomach reflux
- infant gastroesophageal reflux and excessive spitting up after nursing
- clicking sounds while nursing and swallowing air when latched
- leaking milk while nursing
Mom’s Problems:
- lipstick shaped nipples after the infant latches
- flattened, blistered, bruised or bleeding nipples
- moderate to severe pain when your infant latches
- nipple infections, plugged ducts, mastitis and/or nipple thrush
- engorged or unemptied breasts
- premature self-weaning by your infant
- premature reduction of breast milk supply
Family’s Problems:
- frustration due to lack of answers
- exhaustion and depression
- lack of infant- mother connection
- premature weaning due to pain and frustration
- family conflicts and relationship difficulties
- suspicion of neglect due to an underweight or unhealthy infant
