Expert: ruth kraft - 6/27/2009

Question
I have gone through 11 weeks of breastfeeding torture, my son has a short tongue says speech pathologist and is 11 weeks old now.  His latch looks good from the inside but just tears my nipples up.  I have started using nipple shields but somehow he is able to draw the nipple through the holes in the end of the shield now.  Is there anything I can do?  I am using the 24 mm shield which is the largest made I guess....  I have tried latching him on again without them but my nipples comes out with trauma again!  I feel I am at the end of the road as I don't know if this obstacle can be overcome.  I am so discouraged, is there anything I can do?  Thanks so much....

Answer
hello! I am sorry you have had such a hard time with this... I am a little confused as I have never heard of a short toungue before... I have heard of having frenulum problems which makes it look like the toungue is too short. you might want to check with a lactation consultant to have this confirmed. if this is the case, you would then take the baby to the pediatrician and they do a short surgical procedure and it normalizes the problem so he doesnt have speech issues in the future and make it easier to nurse now...  that would be the first thing I do.

I cannot diagnose as it is outside of my practice but that is what it sounds like... either way you need to see a lactation consultant. in person. not a speech pathologist, but someone who really knows breastfeeding. You can also try pumping some to give your poor nipples a rest along the way until you discover the true fix.

I hope that helps...!  You are a tropper going through all that... keep searching... I am sure the lactation consultant will be able to find the issue...

Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com