Update on tongue tie

As you may remember, we had a Caleb's tongue clipped at the pediatrician's office a few weeks ago.  Well after a few days I realized that it still needed to be cut more which we knew might happen but were hopeing not to have to go that route.  Well it took four weeks to get into an ENT here in Lubbock but that visit finally came a little over a week ago.  It took so long to get in, that  I was really excited when we finally got to see the doctor.  The ENT on the other hand was not so excited to see us.  He was not intersted in our problems and just said "it not worth the risk" to get it done.  Even when I pushed him he just kept saying he didn't believe in clipping tongues (a belief that is outdated).  I had research in my bag indicating the clear benefit in clipping the tounge to help infants nurse better and it all clearly says there is virtually no risk and the benefits are substantial for maternal pain.  This doctor was just not having it.  He had made up his mind that he was not going to the procedure even before he walked in the exam room.

That sent me into more research again.  I tried to relax and just try and wait it out but something kept making me feel that I need to pursue this more.  We looked in to dentists here in town but none had experience with babies and the only Dr. in town that would do the procedure was a plastic surgeon that everyone didn't recommend due to poor surgery skills.

Anyways after some consideration we decided to seek a consult by a pediatric ENT and would have to travel to Dallas to find one.  I knew of several ENT's there, but I wanted one that specialized in oral surgery rather than ear surgery.  I called our ENT of choice and got in right away.  (no 6 week delay).  When we got there the Dr. was very responsive and listened to what I had to say.  He said that based on symptoms Caleb appeared to be tongue tied.  He went to look at Caleb's tongue and said instantly, that Caleb was obviously tongue tied and could see it without any further evaluation.  He then offered to clip the tongue in the office!!!

The ENT in Lubbock was not willing to cut Caleb's tongue in the office and said that he needed anastheisia which is why he didn't want to do.  This pediatric ENT though does frenulectomy (tongue clipping) every day so it was no problem for him to do it right there.  The nurse came in and knew exactly where I should hold him and position him.  The doctor grabbed a simple spatual to lift the tongue and within seconds he had cut the small peice of tissue.  He asked me to nurse and that he would come back in a few minutes.

Just as simple as that,  we were no longer a tongue tied baby. While a tongue tie is not life or death it does cause lots of problems (brestfeeding, eating chunky foods, eating lolly pops and ice cream cones, speech, and french kissing) and now we don't have to worry.  There is still a chance that as the cut heals it can close up and tighten again, but the cut this time was all the way to the base so we shouldn't need to cut it again.

Below are two picture. One of before and one after. You can see the white band in the first and how it is cut in the second.

 

 

 

three months old

Can you believe it?  Caleb is three months old!!!

Photo bomb

Momma finally got the camera out just for pics of the kids.

4th of July

 

 

ankyloglossia

After a stressful 7 weeks we have taken yet another step towards solving our problems.

Ever since birth Caleb has had struggles nursing.  He couldn't latch well so I am was a ton of severe pain all the time.  Plus he often choked and gagged, lost milk all down his cheek, and made clicking and gulping sounds through out the feed. I also had a milk bleb which was making things worse too.    Caleb was growing like a weed though so everyone, including several lactation consultants and two pediatricians and my OB just kept saying he was fine and that eventually the pain would subside so that was my mantra.  Week after week I just kept telling myself that I could do this, and that as long as Caleb was growing this was just what mommies do.  

With all the air Caleb was taking in dueapoor feeding he was experiencing lots of gas that made him cry all day long and eventually the doctors said he had colic (unconsolable crying for more than several hours a day).  Ryan and I literally were taking 20 minutes shifts holding our screaming child.  When gas drops didn't work we tried chiropractic care which helped slights but mainly it helped clear the gas that was there but when it accumulated again, the pain would come back too.  Eventually we tried acid reflux drugs and that actually made a huge difference! We no longer cried all day and actually started getting some form of routine schedule going.  

As for the milk bleb I actually developed over ten!  Just google milk bleb if you are curious. I'll spare you any details at this time.  

Eventually we got to the point that even though Caleb was exclusively nursing and I still had TONS of milk and could have probably nursed triplets so I spent lots of time working to control my output and not drown him.  It took lots of research and lots of trial and error but eventually we got it controlled. 

That bring us to this week. Each time I nursed Caleb this week I started realizing that although he was happy between feedings he still seemed just as miserable as me during feeds.  He still got frustrated, choked and coughed, cried, screamed, and leaked milk.  I was still in severe pain too! I had noticed earlier that Caleb's tongue looked tied but non of the professionals that were helping us had ever noticed so I just thought I was a crazy speech therapist that was over diagnosing her child.  Then one day Ryan actually commented on it too so i started doing lots of research.  

I determined that Caleb had a type three tongue tie.  I'll try and post pictures of before and after soon. Essentially there is a small piece of "skin" that is attached to the middle of his tongue to the floor of his mouth causing his tongue to have limited movement.  I talked to several other speech paths and did lots of medical studies and and most recommended clipping the tongue if continued breast feeding was desired.

With that we made an appointment for Caleb 2 month well check to discuss this plan.  While we were  there today, the pediatrician and I decided to try and do a minimal cut in the office with no sedation but that if that was not helpful enough then we would be referred to an ENT for surgery.  The procedures was simple and easy and Caleb fell asleep right afterward, but we won't know the effects for awhile.  I will try and keep you updated though.

In the meantime, please keep Caleb and I in your prayers.  We pray for quick healing of the cut and decreased pain and less frustration for mom and baby. Thanks.

Firestation Party

we were so excited to have William's first birthday party at the Firestation!  It was so much fun.  They showed us the inside of the station but the kids were not super impressed.  Once we made it the garage and the trucks though they were beyond excited. 

 

 All the kids were able to get in the firetruck and see the equipment and they opened all the compartments and talked about what was inside. 

 

Afterward they pulled out the truck and turned on the lights and sirens. Check out the kids excitement.  

 

They even let the kids spray water from the hose! 

 

Here is a picture of the whole gang.  It's the best we could do to get eleven small children to line up and say cheese.   

 

After the tour and getting to have fun with the truck, we all had a Sno Cone in the grass. 

 

Can't believe this boy is five years old already!

One Month Old

I can't believe it, but Caleb is already one month old.  So far things have been a little bumpier than we expected but it hasn't been terrible.  Caleb is healthy and growing like a weed. The doctor is very happy with his growth.  He now weight 9.5 pounds.  As of today he has outgrown a handful or outfits and has graduated from newborn diapers.  Although the doctors have no concerns, Caleb does have some minor baby acne as you can see from the pictures and he has clogged tear ducts causing his eyes to weep.  Both these issues should resolve them self in the coming weeks. Caleb is nursing better than before but we still have issues every couple of feeds.  Also the doctors diagnosed him with colic due to constant screaming for hours on end each day where he is inconsolable.  Ryan and I were having to watch the clock and take turns holding him since there is only a certain amount of screaming that can be tolerated at a time.  Again this issue should resolve itself in a few months but after a suggestion by a friend and some research, we decided to take Caleb to a chiropractor who adjusted one tiny little spot on his back with just the slightest pressure and that has made a huge difference!  He still screams sometimes but for far less length of time and not as intense.  We may go again next week for another adjustment if Caleb doesn't get better this week on his own. As for sleep Caleb is still waking every two to three hours so there is not a lot of sleep for Mommy, but luckily after he nurses he goes right back to bed. 

Other than that we are all doing well and taking this transition in stride.  William and Adalynn are finishing up school this week before they start to stay home full time.  I will go back to work after the holiday and the kids will then stay home with a nanny for a few hours each day.  Ryan's work is CRAZY but it's a paycheck and experience so we are sticking with it. 

I am sorry I haven't updated more often but that is probably just how it will be for awhile until we get more sleep and a schedule of some sort.  If I can get the kids fed and safely in their bed at the end of the day then we count it as a good day.  Cleaning house and updating blogs are just bonus! 

In the meantime, Enjoy these pictures of Caleb and the big kids!