Baby poop and oral ties, but coronavirus

Tongue tie? Yep, we got it.

Lip tie? Check.

Buccal (cheek) ties?

What the blank is that? And also, check.

So, what’s the big deal?

Well, oral ties are when the attachments (frenulum) under the tongue, behind the lip, or inside the cheek are too big or short preventing proper movement.

Let’s try a few exercises to test your ties (or lack thereof).

Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

Touch the inside corners of your mouth with your tongue.

Stick your tongue out, past your lips – touch your chin.

Pretty easy, right?

When a baby is tongue tied, they can’t. Therefore, properly removing milk from a bottle or breast is more difficult and tiresome.

Let’s check your lip.

Can you pucker your lips out in an exaggerated kiss?

Can you pull your lip up and stretch it to the tip of your nose?

When a baby has a lip tie, they are unable to do those things, which prevent proper enclosure of a baby’s latch for eating.

Ok, now cheeks. This one is kind of fun and easy.

Smile really big. Bigger. Like, cartoonish big.

Your upper cheeks should separate from your gums.

A baby with cheek ties cannot do that. So, they have a subdued smile and restricted facial movement.

Proper mouth movement is essential for eating, and later for talking. That’s why a correct diagnosis and treatment of oral ties are critical.

Poop is also connected, and before we knew about her ties, we spent her first 6 weeks dealing with extremely smelly farts, but no poopy diapers of her own making.

By that I mean, aside from the meconium diapers she provided in the hospital, the only way to achieve a poopy diaper was to give her a glycerin suppository.

I know, gross, but, necessary.

I discussed ideas and possible solutions with other moms, and the most suggested treatment option: chiropractic care. Although I was hesitant, we went.

Seriously, it was one of the best decisions I made during this journey. Dr. Leah Wright with Louisville Family Chiropractic was amazing.

I was sold at our first visit. Not only did she adjust her, but she cradled her so sweetly, providing calm and comfort, and prayed over her. She simultaneously helped me establish a plan, took notice of her lip tie, and referred me to a highly recommended lactation consultant.

The referred lactation consultant was IBCLC, Bonnie Logsdon, with The Baby’s Voice. During my appointment, she brought to my attention her multiple ties, hindering her milk transfer, and impeding her ability to poop and gain weight at a healthier rate.

She walked me through my personalized breastfeeding plan, and gave me contact information for a great provider for the much needed laser tie release.

Then…Coronavirus.

So, I waited.

3 whole months.

During which time, I ate lactation cookies daily, and compressed my breasts while she nursed to help improve milk transfer.

I. Was. Over. It.

Once some quarantine restrictions were lifted, I made an appointment for a consult and surgery with Abbey Stafferi, with Lavelle Family Dentistry.

Our consult with her was a look to confirm her ties, a discussion on what laser surgery entails, and aftercare needs and expectations.

Although the laser process is quick, it’s excruciating. Listening to your baby scream, and at the same time knowing it’s whats best for them is so hard, and emotionally taxing.

Following the laser release, the real work started: active wound care, to prevent reattachment, consisting of mouth exercises and stretching every 4 hours (middle of the night included) for 3-4 weeks.

It’s awful. The first couple of days, I would position my hands over her sites, close my eyes, and repeat, “I’m so sorry,” as I rubbed her wounds.

However, the benefits completely outweighed the work and agony.

See picture below.

Coronavirus threw a wrench in all the plans. But, three weeks later, she latches perfectly every time, and has drastically improved our nursing experience.

And, cue baby fat.

Oh yeah, and because things were just going too well, she decided to spice it up by rolling out of her boppy and landing lip first on the hardwood floor, completely reopening her newly healed lip.

This incident set us back 3 weeks. We basically started over with her lip.

Square one.

Since her ties were released and her latch completely improved, she’s pooping like a champ.

The amazing team who walked with us during this journey are listed below.

Chiropractor, Dr. Leah Wright – http://lfchiro.net/

IBCLC, Bonnie Logsdon – https://www.thebabysvoice.com/

Dentist, Dr. Abbey Stafferi – http://www.lavelledentistry.com/