RE: Another question about TT

December 30, 2010

I always assumed, in my ignorance, that the need for anesthesia was because

toddlers don't like things stuck in their mouths and might BITE the person

trying to do the procedure. I have no idea. Would love to know the history on

use of anesthesia. My son needed anesthesia twice -- once for adenoids and

tonsils the size of golfballs and once for a hernia. His friend needed open

heart surgery at age 4. It is not something I would ever put a young child

through without good cause.

Best regards,

E. Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC

December 30, 2010

"Sometimes, mothers are told that after a certain age (which varies!) the baby will need to have anesthesia for the procedure. What is the reasoning behind thatWhy would an older baby need anesthesia if a younger one did not?"

Tongue in cheek here, ok....... no flaming emails back.

It is the same reason that some physicians use no anesthesia in babies for circumcisions, but do if they are over 6 months old (or pick an age)-

Newborns "don't feel pain".

(I'm not trying to start something, but I have worked in pediatrics for a long time, and there are truly physicians that believe this, including one I work with.)

Tara Guy, PA-C, IBCLC

December 30, 2010

the older ones can not be held down sufficiently. the little ones can be. the adults will hold still. they do not want to cut something they are not planning on cutting

Here is something that has been bothering me for a while.We all know that it is a good idea to have a baby's TT released ASAP. Sometimes, mothers are told that after a certain age (which varies!) the baby will need to have anesthesia for the procedure.

What is the reasoning behind that?Why would an older baby need anesthesia if a younger one did not?And vice-versa, too ::)norma the curious.Norma Ritter, IBCLC, RLCBreastfeeding Matters in the Capital Region

www.NormaRitter.comJoin us on Facebook for the latest birthing and breastfeeding news and views:http://tinyurl.com/BMCRonFB

-- ~~~~~~~~~~ Shari Silady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ " Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations as all other earthly causes combined. "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

December 30, 2010

My experience with TT and anesthesia is this:My son had his tongue released at 40 hours old - no pain meds, he sat on my lap,he was asleep, moaned for about 2 seconds and remained asleep - there was very little blood - however, the release was not complete - we suffered through painful feedings for about 6 weeks - he grew beautifully. When he was a year old Diane Wiessinger held him at a conference and suggested I have that heart shaped tongue really released-he was nice and chubby - I had no reason ( I did nurse him ALL the time.)My daughter had a TT which caused me problems that I later learned were related to her TT, it tore a bit along the way. When she was almost 8 years old we had a frenulectomy with topical anesthetic. She was in a lot of pain when the meds wore off and I had to pick her up from school the next day as she developed a fever. I did the frenulectomy because she was having a lot of stomach issues - she was old enough to discuss it. She reported that it felt better to have her tongue free.I asked at the time if the doc could do my son who at the time was 3 1/2 years old-she said at his age it would have to be under general - I don't remember exactly why but I think it was because he would not be still and therefore it could be risky in terms of cutting the wrong area. He still has a cute little heart shaped tongue - his tongue sticks out, he has the tiniest lisp that I can hear but no other problems. I will revisit it when he is closer to 8 years old. Leigh Anne O'Connor, IBCLCleighanne625@...www.leighanneoconnor.com

December 30, 2010

Just curious to know your thoughts behind the frenectomy being more risky for a

newborn. Admittedly I've only watched very straight forward releases - but to

my non-medical eye they were very quick, easy, and did not appear at all

traumatic.

Ellen

Ellen J. Rubin, MA, IBCLC, LLLL

>

> I have a 4 year old who is going to have his TT released very soon, by one of

the local MDs who treats breastfeeding babies. We aren't using anesthesia, but

we are using novicaine-type meds and likely tyleonol and ibuprofen.

> My take on it is that the 'risk' is higher for a newborn and the trauma of

being held down for the novicaine and the sting of the needle is the same or

worse than the actual clip. My son has a thick band that will probably take

more than one snip and I am uncomfortable doing it without meds.

> I do feel bad for some of the babies who I have seen released. I wish there

was a safe way to do it pain-free. Some parents use homeopathics, but it

doesn't make it pain or trauma free. Some babies seems to be in more pain than

others.

>

> Healy

> Seattle, WA

> Forgive my writing or typos...lost the rollerball on my blackberry yesterday

and can't go back and edit.

> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

>

> Re: Another question about TT

>

> I always assumed, in my ignorance, that the need for anesthesia was because

toddlers don't like things stuck in their mouths and might BITE the person

trying to do the procedure. I have no idea. Would love to know the history on

use of anesthesia. My son needed anesthesia twice -- once for adenoids and

tonsils the size of golfballs and once for a hernia. His friend needed open

heart surgery at age 4. It is not something I would ever put a young child

through without good cause.

>

> Best regards,

> E. Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC

>

December 31, 2010

I think the solution is to have the older kids done with laser. There is little

bleeding and comparatively less swelling, they heal faster, and the doc doesn't

need kid to hold quite so still. My friend just took her 7 and 4 yr olds to

Larry and it went fine. Siegel did mine in October.

Tow, IBCLC, Toulouse, FR