Tongue-tie is a condition in which the bottom of the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth by a membrane (frenulum) so that the tongue's range of motion is unduly restricted. This may result in various oral development, feeding, speech, swallowing, and associated problems.
The lactation consultant was telling us that it is somewhat controversial whether this condition should be fixed or left alone so they typically don't do anything about it at the hospital unless the parents really push for it. After Clara is discharged we can choose to have her pediatrician fix it if we want, which means a very minor procedure where they just clip the frenulum and then she can eat again right away and there is virtually no recovery time needed.
However, in the meantime Clara needs to learn how to eat with this condition so that we can take her home. Yesterday afternoon's feeding was pretty awful (or at least that's how it seemed to mommy) because Clara was getting very frustrated and was screaming more than she was eating. After that I wasn't sure how we were ever going to master nursing, but the two feedings overnight were quite a bit better so she might be figuring out how to do it.
The goal is to get her up to eating 65 ml per feeding and so far she's been eating 10-12 ml per feeding so we've got a way to go. She also doesn't yet have the energy to nurse for every feeding so she's nursing every other feeding. Right now it feels like we might be here for several days working on nursing, but maybe she will surprise us and reach those goals sooner.
We would appreciate your prayers...
- for Clara to figure out how to nurse despite her tongue's limitations
- for Jeremy and I to get enough sleep to be able to hold up emotionally
- for Clara to develop more energy so we can get her up to nursing for every feeding
Thank you for all of your support! We are definitely feeling it as we walk through these first few weeks with Clara.
4 comments:
Hey there sister, We will be praying for Clara to figure out her feeding... I know she can do it.. she seems like a smart cookie (look at her smart parents!) She is so cute and adorable in the pics with her "new wardrobe". We are all going crazy with the thought of being able to play with her very soon. We love you all,
Ted, Angela, Emelia and Hannah
Jeremy and Cristina,
Arianna had a short frenulum too, and we had it clipped. It was really easy and quick, and she can move her tongue a lot easier now. If there's any way they could fix Clara's in the hospital, I'd push for it, since it'll help her eat better and get you home sooner. :)
aww, you guys hang in there! she'll be home where she belongs before you know it. =)
I'll continue to pray for you both, as you learn this "new normal" and as Clara continues to learn all these new things.
I'll pray you both have the wisdom and the peace to make a decision about this new procedure.
Love to you all,
Ashley
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