Croydon Breastfeeding Support

Byron Breastfeeding Buddies

Byron Children’s Centre

St David’s

Coulsdon

CR5 2XE

Tel: 020 8763 6285

Friday 10:00 – 12 noon

Email: byronchildrenscentre@oasisuk.org

View here for  Byron Children Centre Flyer

Location Map

"For  2 weeks breastfeeding was sore, my baby did not stay on the breast for very long, he fed very frequently and never seemed satisfied.  His tongue tie was diagnosed, and we were offered an appointment for it to be cut.  I discussed the whole thing with my family, I was afraid to get it done, I was unsure whether it was necessary or safe to do.

"Having talked with my family, my mother had experience of tongue tie in Angola, she reassured me that it was a straight forward procedure.  I was referred to Kings College Hospital, the following week I received an appointment.  The baby was not allowed to feed 3 hours  prior to the operation.

 "Dr Patel came in and explained everything, why it happens and what the procedure entails, he informed us that the tongue tie operation was not to do with speech but to do with feeding.

" I went in with my baby while the doctor examined the tongue tie, he said it definitely was a tongue tie, so I signed the consent  form for him to have the operation. I left him with Doctor Patel, I felt awful and guilty.

"I was taken to the next room to wait for him so I could feed him straight away, it felt like it was less than a minute, and he was back with me. There was a cotton roll bud under his tongue (like the one’s at the dentist), they took it out  and put him straight to the breast. A breastfeeding specialist was there to help me attach him to the breast. He was fed straight away as this would calm him and stop any bleeding. He did not cry as he was hungry and went straight onto the breast.  

"I felt such relief that it  was over, and that he was alright.  I could feel the difference straight away, I fed him for a good 45 minutes, much longer than he had ever done before.  We had to wait for an hour, then we were checked that the bleeding had stopped, although I did not notice any myself.

"The feeding became more comfortable straight away, he stays on for longer is much more settled in between feeds, he is now 4 months old and weighs 8.5kgs (17.12lbs), just on breastmilk!

"I definitely recommend getting this done, I am very pleased that I had this done even though I was quite anxious to start with."

Further information

There is still a very busy clinic at Kings college Hospital that performs frenulotomies (the medical term for tongue tie division. For parents in the Croydon area it is usually quicker and easier if the baby is seen at the Breastfeeding Clinic at Croydon University Hospital, held on Friday mornings 10-12 a.m. in the Parentcraft room.

If a tongue tie is confirmed to be causing a problem with breastfeeding, baby will be referred for surgery as soon as possible afterwards, often the following Monday. The same procedure takes place and baby is taken from the parents for a short time during which he or she will be held securely whilst the tongue is lifted up and the tight ligament underneath snipped and stretched out to release it and allow the tongue to extend and move more freely. It is very important that baby continues to breastfeed  frequently afterwards to minimise the risk of the tongue-tie healing back together again.
 

"I am the mother of 5 children aged 16, 10, 9, 7 and 5 months. I did not even think about breastfeeding my first 4 children as it just wasn’t right at the time. With my 5th child I decided to give it a go because things were different this time.  I   gave my baby formula in hospital and then when it was quiet and the curtains were around me I put the baby to the breast and she started to suckle. Gradually I started to offer the breast more and more to my baby.  Soon I was exclusively breastfeeding but my nipples were starting to get sore. The Breastfeeding Peer Support team Team didn’t contact me at the time, because they thought I was formula feeding my baby. 

"By 4 weeks I found every breastfeed painful and then went on to get mastitis. I went to her Doctor who prescribed antibiotics, which helped the mastitis but breastfeeding was still sore.  My friend who breastfed suggested that this was not a normal breastfeeding experience and that I should get help.  

"I found a leaflet that had been given to me at the hospital and contacted the team. Karen (from the Mum2mum Breastfeeding Peer Support Team) came and helped me get my baby on the breast more comfortably and breastfeeding started to get more comfortable. Karen put me in touch with my Peer Supporter Lucy who had also 5 children and had breastfed her two last children.

"Lucy texted me to start with initially and then I was constantly asking her questions. , I also started going to the drop- in at Castle Hill Children’s Centre and met Lucy there. This gave the opportunity for me to get out of the house, breastfeed in a positive breastfeeding environment, get looked after with a cup of tea and an opportunity to ask any questions.

"I am still breastfeeding at 5 months and this would not have been possible without Lucy’s help and support."