The Radiant Mission Podcast | Episode 30
Host: Rebecca Twomey @theradiantmission
Co-Host: Rachel Smith @rachelsmithsmith
Guest: Sarah Knapek @fortheloveoflacation and @homewithjoanie
Thank you for listening to The Radiant Mission podcast! We are on a mission to encourage and inspire you on your walk with Christ and as you journey through life.
In Episode 30 we dive into breastfeeding with lactation consultant, Sarah Knapek. We discuss the difficult journey that many new moms experience when they take on breastfeeding for the first time: from issues latching, to tongue ties, lip ties, cheek ties, and more.
In This Episode on Breastfeeding Struggles: Latch, Tongue Tie, Lip Tie, & Cheek Ties w/Lactation Consultant Sarah Knapek:
We are joined by IBCLC, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Sarah Knapek.
She shares the story of her first child and how difficult her breastfeeding journey was. It started with difficulty latching, which felt defeating. The struggle continued when she got home from the hospital and she eventually sought help from a lactation consultant.
Sarah was able to determine that she was transferring enough milk to her baby, and found a latch that worked for a while. Then one day around 2.5 months, her daughter started rejecting the nipple shield she had been using. Up to this point, it was the only way she was able to nurse without pain. Her daughter started arching her back, screaming and crying, and refusing to latch.
This struggle resulted in Sarah having to pump milk to then give it to her daughter in a bottle. At this point it became a triple feed and was very time consuming.
So, Sarah takes matters into her own hands!
Sarah decided to take things into her own hands and started scouring mom forums and googling the issues she was experiencing breastfeeding. “What does it mean if my baby is refusing the breast?” “What does it mean if my baby is arching her back and screaming?” “My baby is super gassy,” and so on.
This was when she started to come across articles about tongue ties. She realized that her daughter had all the symptoms that were mentioned, but no one had said a thing to her about this. Not the lactation consultants at the hospital. Not the IBCLC that came to her house. And not even her daughter’s pediatrician.
Sarah decided to call the pediatric dentist in town to do an assessment on her daughter.
Tongue ties and lip ties are rated on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 being the most tied.
Her daughter was assessed and had a stage 4 lip tie, a stage 4 posterior tongue tie, and 2 buckle ties, which are also called cheek ties. She also had a very high palate.
This was when Sarah realized that no one was going to advocate for her or her daughter. She had to be her own advocate!
Her daughter received laser treatment for her oral ties and within 24 hours her reflux and gassiness disappeared and Sarah went on to nurse her until she was 22 months old!
This was when Sarah decided to look into becoming a lactation consultant.
She was passionate about telling her story and about breastfeeding, so her journey began! She began taking courses and completing the program over the following year and a half. She is now an IBCLC and loves helping moms on their breastfeeding journeys.
Tongue ties, lip ties, and cheek ties seem to be missed a lot by healthcare professionals.
As it turns out, pediatricians do not receive any formal training on the topic of oral ties! As moms, especially new moms, there is (often) a trust for the pediatrician to take care of a baby when there is a problem going on. Unfortunately, they tend to be quick to dismiss any kind of tie as long as baby is gaining weight.
This is why it is so important to educate ourselves as mothers and do our own research. It’s also why it’s important to bring our babies to pediatric dentists who are well-versed in oral ties.
While a lactation consultant like Sarah has familiarized herself with oral ties, as an IBCLC she is not allowed to diagnose a tongue tie. She can recommend that her clients go see a pediatric dentist.
Lip ties are often noticed quicker because they are easier to see.
Sarah shares some information during the episode on how to identify a lip tie.
Palette posture is important as a baby because it becomes more difficult when they’re older or even as an adult. Sarah’s husband has dealt with chronic sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and other issues. She brought him to the pediatric dentist and found out he has a high palette and tongue tie, which are contributing to his issues. The process as an adult is much more difficult and is not as easy as laser revision. He would need to wear a palette expander for 2+ years and get other treatments.
Cheek ties are typically more palette and teeth related.
They are very obviously tight on some babies and prevent the baby to open wide enough to latch well when it comes to breastfeeding.
If you suspect your baby has oral ties, you can go to a pediatric dentist for revision. Another great resource is chiropractic care. Many chiropractors offer Craniosacral Therapy which can help to loosen ties.
As a mom, you have options! If you don’t feel comfortable with manual or laser revision, try chiropractic care. It has many benefits outside of oral ties too! Plus, chiropractic care is also beneficial during pregnancy and postpartum.
Bible Verses Mentioned:
Genesis 49:25:
“From the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.”
Resources Mentioned:
Sarah Knapek, IBCLC
- Visit her website: www.fortheloveoflactation.com
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