Lip Tie - What is it?

I received an email today from a mother who thanked me because she came across my blog and had to google lip tie, but realized this may have been the reason she had issues during her breastfeeding journey. Then I realized that although I may have mentioned lip tie, I never discussed what it is.

I was looking at your blog and read about your daughter having a lip tie. I wanted to say thank you, because I never heard of that condition so I googled it. That's when I realised my daughter has the same issue. I managed to bf her until she was 18months but it was sooooo hard and I was still feeling guilty about it. So thank you! If I have another baby in the future at least I will know! :)


Breastfeeding a Baby with Lip Tie

SweetPea self-weaned at 14 months. I had trouble with her latch in the beginning and constant issues with supply. My daughter was always on the lower side of the dreaded percentiles. And I blamed myself constantly. The horrible mommy guilts had sunk in.

When SweetPea was around 18 months old, I came across a blog (and for the life of me I can not remember it now) that talked about lip tie and included pictures. I now know what my daughter had that made our breastfeeding relationship more difficult, that I believe contributed to my PPD, but now I know for my next baby and ways to boost my supply, so I won't get as frustrated with myself.

SweetPea went undiagnosed but I could have saved myself a ton of heartache and stress. If you are having issues with your baby's latch or your supply, I would talk to a doctor about upper labial tie (which is the scientific name of lip tie). Now there isn't much they know about the issue. But I think just knowing your child has a lip tie, can help with the stress levels, which can ultimately help with the breastfeeding bond in general.


What is an upper labial tie?

Inside your mouth, there is a small fold of tissue which runs between your upper lip and gum (you can feel it with your tongue). This is called the maxillary labial frenulum (or frenum). Most people have no significant frenulum attachment, but sometimes this frenulum attaches further down the gum, or runs between the front teeth and attaches behind them, causing restricted movement of the upper lip. It's similar to tongue tie, but involving the upper lip and gum instead. An upper labial tie can occur on its own or in conjunction with a tongue tie. It's also possible to have a lower labial tie (involving the bottom lip and gum).

Breastfeeding an Infant with Lip Tie

This picture is the best I could get of my daughter, but there are better ones online.


Depending on the severity of the lip tie, they may want to clip the frenulum. Like with any child surgery, make sure you have done your research on all the risks involved, also research doctors, as well as the procedure that will be done. We worked through our lip tie. With the help of breastfeeding cookies, fenugreek, and frequent feedings. There are lip ties that are severe than hers. Just consult your lactation consultant or pediatrician.


When should you consult a physician?

You are the mama and ultimately know what is best. So if you feel you need to talk to a doctor about it and even seek a second opinion, then you do what you feel is best. Trust those mommy instincts. Other times to talk to your doctor or lactation consultant are if your latch is painful. In the beginning, the initial latch on might be painful. As the baby nurses though, it should not continue to be painful. Try repositioning your baby. After years of working in child care, my main issue was how I was holding SweetPea to nurse. Baby and mommy should be tummy to tummy.
You should also talk to your doctor if you feel your child isn't urinating enough. Breastfed babies can sometimes go 5 to 7 days with out pooping, some poop every hour, but they should, according to KellyMom, have one wet diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two…). But once mom’s milk comes in, expect 5-6+ wet diapers every 24 hours. To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of water into a clean diaper. A piece of tissue in a disposable diaper will help you determine if the diaper is wet.

I hope you find this helpful. My favorite resource for breastfeeding advice is KellyMom. Feel free to share your breastfeeding experience or questions in the comments below! :)


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month


I would just like to take a moment to share something personal.

I was in a car accident in June as most of you probably already know. With the accident leaving me car-less, it also left me with a decent sized bruise by my right armpit on my breast. A knot was left and I don't know if it was there before or not. Looking for the symptoms of breast cancer it made me worry and worry and worry. Odds are in my favor since I breastfed and have no previous history of breast cancer in my family.

I have an appointment set up for a mammogram. I am a little nervous because I have been looking up the symptoms and I have more than one. But since I also just recently ended my breastfeeding journey in March and I read that it can take as long for everything to be back to normal. My doctors also don't seem too concerned. I do not want anyone to worry.

But although I don't know the outcome yet, I am so glad the accident happened. But with this I wish I had kept up with my self breast exams.

I will keep you all posted if you are interested on my outcome. But I have high hopes. And please, for my family and personal friends who read this, don't worry. I am just trying to inform and I'm sure everything will be okay and that it is indeed a knot from the accident. 
 
Please ladies check yourself. Please keep up to date with your mammograms and your GYN visits so they can check you as well. I have linked some great resources on this blog entry. Please take a minute to check them out and please share with friends.

Please stay safe and remember, men can get breast cancer too.
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Breastfeeding is a RIGHT!

Breastfeeding is a RIGHT


In Forest Park, GA, they passed a public indecency ordinance to prevent public nudity. In this a women is not allowed to breastfeed a child over two years of age in public.

First of all, this is completely ridiculous. Breastfeeding is a natural thing that can NOT be taken away by a law. No other mammals feed their babies another animals milk. Second of all, extended breastfeeders (as they are called) usually do not breastfeed in public. They only do in the morning or at night. And how are they going to monitor this law? Is a police officer going to go up to a women and say, "Um ma'am can I see that child's birth certificate?"

I personally will MOST likely not breastfeed past two at the most. But the government can NOT tell me whether I can or not. Boobs are meant to be bottles for babies. They were made to make milk. All mammals do it. I know I say that all the time. But it is normal to breastfeed. There is nothing wrong with it and should not be shameful!

Breast is Best


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Supply Boosting, Milk Making Cookie Recipe




These cookies are so YUMMY! I got them from Dr.Momma.org - Peaceful Parenting.


Major Milk Makin' Cookies
Recipe by Kathleen Major
Detailed recipe with photos found here


1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 3/4 c. oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 c. almond butter or peanut butter
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. flax
3 T brewer's yeast (I bought the wrong kind but you need this to help with supply)
1/3 c. water
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 c. (12oz) chocolate chips (I used white chocolate)
1 c. chopped nuts of your choice (I used Macadamia)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
In a large bowl, beat almond butter, butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, brewer's yeast, flax and water until creamy.
Mix in eggs.
Gradually beat in flour mixture.
Mix in nuts and chocolate chips.
Add oats slowly, mixing along the way.

Place balls of dough onto greased baking sheets or baking stones.
Press down each ball lightly with a fork.
Bake 12 minutes.