Frenectomy

Lucas had his frenectomy last week - which means the small flap of skin that attaches his tongue to the bottom of his mouth has been snipped allowing him to stick his tongue out and suck properly. Yea! Also, he aced his follow up weight check appointment so he is officially good to go :)

I heard someone say the other day (I think it was Ellen - yes, I am an Ellen junkie) that it seems strange that the more important things you do in life seem to come without instruction manuals - raising a child is one of them. I would agree with this statement based in my short 7 week experience. I always thought having and raising a child was going to be the most natural thing in the world because it is what our bodies were made to do and is something humankind has been doing since we were created. However, I can't help but wonder how we have come this far for those unnatural situations - for example, would a prehistoric or biblical time version of me have the support and knowledge to have a frenectomy performed on Lucas? Most likely not. In fact, maybe Lucas would not have made it because of his tied tongue and inability to get the proper amount of nourishment from his mommy. What a tragic thought! I guess right now I am feeling a bit smug in the eye of survival of the fittest - take that evolution! My beautiful boy is healthy and thriving despite the odds :)

For those modern day mothers who may experience the same thing, this is what I have learned...

Pediatricians used to routinely perform frenectomys within the first few days of birth. Now it is not even something they seem to look for at well-baby checkups after you leave the hospital. Even when the baby is having weight gain issues. If it weren't for the lactation consultants at the hospital suggesting the procedure, Lucas would probably be a formula fed baby (not that there is anything wrong with that, I think there are countless good reasons for formula feeding). What is even crazier about pediatricians not looking for this condition is that a tied tongue can also impact speech and oral health as an adult. Sometimes I feel like I am taking crazy pills! Anyway, apparently pediatricians got away from snipping in the past few generations. I wonder why.... a few guesses: 1. the push to feed babies formula of the 1970's (or was it the 80's? 60's?), 2. the revolution of the medical industry by insurance companies, 3. fear of medical malpractice claims, 4. the large groups of doctors who work together to cover the on-call medical emergencies (I don't have a problem with this - it just makes continuity of care during those first moments of life nearly impossible). Whatever the reason may be, Lucas had to have his frenectomy done by an ENT, pediatric dentist or oral surgeon. We were lucky because he was referred to an ENT who will do the procedure during an office visit using a topical anesthetic. Thank goodness he did not have to be put under general!

Whatever. Here are the facts - If you want to breastfeed and your baby is tongue-tied you will experience lots of pain at the nipple because of a poor latch. In fact Lucas continually fell off latch because he couldn't do it! How terrible is it that even if you grit your teeth and curl your toes through the pain of poor latching, your baby will become so exhausted from the struggle of feeding that he/she will not be able to empty the breast (depleting milk supply) and will end up burning more calories than he/she can ingest (causing weight loss). Your baby will also have a LOT of gas and possibly act painful when pooping (I hate to think he was in pain, but maybe he was). A frenectomy can help alleviate these problems. BUT, when he/she has the procedure done there will be lots of screaming, crying, and blood and you will question whether you made the right decision because no mother wants to see their baby in pain. I want to warn you that this is not an instant solution! Now you and your baby will have to re-learn how to breastfeed (yea! sore nipples again!). For Lucas we had to continue topping him off after each feeding with a bottle of expressed milk or formula to make sure he didn't lose weight again. In three days he gained 5 ounces, so now it is time for tough love - breastfeeding only until we have it down.

I am just thankful it is over... and thankful for all the support and prayers from family and friends

Resting after the surgery

No more frenulum!