Hunter Might Just Get There

Two weeks ago I had NO hope, I was discouraged, I was stressed, I was overwhelmed...none of these things are typical "Lindsay" feelings.  I wanted to cry, scream and give up...again actions not usually associated with me.  Why, do you ask?
Well as I've mentioned several times before and summarized here I have not been able to successfully nurse either of my children (YET).  I figured Zack was a fluke...I mean what baby doesn't want to nurse from the very beginning and the one time he does have a total break down and spit up all the delicious milk?  And what are the chances that my second baby would want so badly to nurse and just not be able to do it?
Well Hunter may be only four months but his posterior tongue tie and unwillingness to flatten his tongue while eating has caused him to develop some VERY bad habits.  And apparently all the advice the lactation consultants and pediatricians have given me, won't actually help us and a couple have allowed Hunter to continue his bad habits.  This advice would apply to most babies but not mine.  Every bottle we tried...not good, trying to go completely bottle free...wont help, nipple confusion...doesn't exist, he will get it if I'm persistent...not unless I do my homework.
Basically Hunter has 5 of the 7 issues listed in red here so far the black issues don't apply to us and if we continue therapy we hope to not ever need to worry about that.  I am so thankful that my lactation consultant sent us to the feeding clinic.  And even though she totally made me want to give up and live with our issues after our initial consultation I kept with it.  After avoiding making a second appointment I broke down and 3 sessions later we see a TON of progress.  We are not totally out of the woods, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
What are we doing?
Well I have to pump extra and do therapy several times a day with a bottle...because I have more control.  I sit with my leg propped up on the chair and Hunter leans against my leg.  One hand holds his head angled up while the other holds the bottle with my thumb and pointer finger while my other three fingers push against his chin (preventing him from using his jaw and forcing him to use his tongue).  If he makes more than one gulp per swallow, clicks his tongue, breathes too hard or makes choking noises I leave the bottle in but tip his head so he sucks air until he pauses and takes a breath.  Once his sucking is back on track I can allow him to get milk again.  As you can imagine he LOVES this...
We also have some tongue exercises.  I put my finger on his lips and let him "invite me in".  Once he sucks I have to push down on his tongue...this is very hard to do without making him gag.
I explained all that because I (again) want to share my experience in case anyone needs to know that they aren't alone and to encourage all mothers to do your own research and don't count on the doctors to know everything about your child.  Most of all I want to say (as our doctor said in therapy today) "good things come to those who work at it".  I'll keep you posted because I am sure Hunter will be able to nurse well in the next couple months!

Even though I had no hope a couple weeks ago I am giddy with hope today!