Symptoms & Finding Support

Finding Breastfeeding Support

If you are struggling with nursing issues here are some places you can seek support.

1) La Leche League www.llli.org. – Worldwide Breastfeeding Support Organization

2) Ask your pediatrician – Ask to be connected to a Lactation Consultant experienced in tongue-tie & oversupply. Ask about a nipple shield early on.

3) Seek out a Pediatric Dentist – Do you suspect tongue-tie? After speaking with your pediatrician and LC if you are still suspecting tongue-tie seek out a Pediatric Dentist for a 2nd opinion. There are different types of tongue-ties and they can have different levels of severity. A Pediatric Dentist knows how to properly diagnose ties and if it is even necessary to correct.

4) Pediatric Doctors Offices and Hospitals offer excellent classes and support groups for breastfeeding moms.

Support Groups through Social Media

Support Groups for Tongue Tie, Eczema, Peanut Allergy, Formula, MSPI, Reflux and Breast milk.

The following is a list of support groups I have followed and come to respect through Facebook over the past few years. It was extremely helpful, educational & encouraging to find support through other parents dealing with similar issues through these groups. By talking with other parents it helped sort through symptoms & keep up hope through our journey.

Ohio Tongue/Lip Tied Babies – Support Group on Facebook
– We found Dr. Milton & Dr. Brittany at Brunswick KiDDS (http://www.brunswickkidds.com/) through this group of supportive moms. I cannot say enough good things about this practice. Please refer to our utube video for more information. You can ask questions, get support regarding tongue-tie, get reviews on Pediatric Dentists and find preferred providers in your area through this group.

Tongue Tie Babies –Support Group on Facebook
– Fantastic national group that can direct you to your State or local tongue-tie group.

Eczema Parents – Support Group on Facebook
– When you have tried just about everything you can research to help with eczema these parents are there with the extra support, suggestions, tips and hope to get you through another day. Great Group of parents!!

MSPI and Reflux Mamas – Support Group on Facebook – I had often questioned my sons MSPI diagnosis because he didn’t meet the typical symptoms. After posting to this group I was directed by a mom to the Tongue Tie Babies Support Group. This group gives fantastic advice to mothers dealing with MSPI and Reflux.

Human Milk 4 Human Babies – Support Group on Facebook
– This group seeks breast milk for babies that are in need. There are babies with allergies to formula and mothers who are unable to product enough milk to meet the demands of their baby. I have successfully donated breast milk through this group. I would advise to always meet in public places when meeting up with strangers.

Peanut Allergy Moms – Support Group on Facebook
– As we have just learned both of my children have peanut allergies, this group has been very educational on tips and support as we sort through this.

Buy/ Sell / Trade Elecare, Neocate, Similac & Alimentum – Support Group on Facebook
– As you may find Elecare and Neocate are extremely costly and most often not covered by insurance. I was able to buy formula from other parents at discounted prices. I was also able to sell/donate formula on this site when we would have to make a switch after just purchasing several cans.

Overview of Symptoms

This is a general timeline of the symptoms my son had along the way. This is a rough estimate of when I noticed certain symptoms.

First few months of life:
– Multiple painful forceful letdowns of my milk
– Latch looked okay but son could not hold latch and would pop of breast frequently
– Letdowns during feeds cause son to cough & gag during feed and cause him frustration during feeds
– Short and frequent nursing sessions
– White blotched and cracked nipples
– Painful clogged ducts (not fully draining each breast at each feed)
– Frequent Sucking blisters on his lip
– Hard to burp
– Reflux
– Screamed every car ride
– Fussy after feeds
– Rarely sleeps & wakes frequently
– Tips for treating oversupply not providing relief
– Pumping before feeds did not stop forceful letdowns
– No pumping altogether did not decrease supply
– Suggested feeding positions for oversupply do not provide relief
– Applying pressure to different areas of the breast does not help

3 months:
(Same as above)
– Drooled like crazy (didn’t cut a tooth until one year)
– Bottle-feeding vs nursing does not help colicky behavior

6 months:
(Same as above)
– Pediatrician sent to new LC. She and her partner agreed he had a good latch. Suggested nipple shield. (He would not take)
– Bites when nursing to stop flow of milk when not teething
– Tongue seems to be attached to the floor of his mouth
– Tongue doesn’t lift when he cries
– He can’t lick (popsicle test)
– He can’t stick tongue out past bottom teeth
– Introduction of food not helping colicky behavior
– Babies usually can mimic you sticking out your tongue at this stage. Mine could not.

9 – 12 months:
(Same as above. No longer nursing)
– Meds do not improve reflux
– Formula changes are not helping colicky behavior (Similac, Similac Sensitive, Alimentum, Elecare & Neocate)
– Goats milk not helping
– Allergy elimination diets are not helping
– Skin prick testing negative
– Food Journals showing not correlation to culprits
– Constipation
– Rarely sleeps or sleeps for quick periods of time
– Not able to sleep through the night
– Seems to be able to drink better out of straw than bottle or sippy