First Medical Procedure!

C had his first medical procedure today. In my local natural-parenting group, there has been lots of discussion lately on lip-ties and tongue-ties. We happen to even have a local expert in the group who is a dentist. She treats people from miles around in a gentle manner with a new method that she's eager to teach other local dentists and hygienists about. She releases the tie with a laser, without putting the child under. She recommends homeopathic treatment following the procedure for inflammation and pain reduction. One of the neatest parts of the whole shabang is that she can often diagnose a lip-tie via a picture emailed to her.

So, with all of this talk about these ties and the ways they can hinder breastfeeding, latch, ability to clean teeth leading to tooth decay, future speech problems and more, I randomly decided to look under C's lip, just out of curiosity. I couldn't believe what I saw. Now, I have no trained eye, but it looked like a big fat chunk of skin connecting his lip to his gums.

Then, I got to thinking. C has never much liked breastfeeding. He hasn't hated it, but he's never been a comfort-nurser, just gets the job done when he's hungry. He has never been one to nurse if I offer without him actually being hungry. Suddenly I wondered if maybe all along it's been uncomfortable for him. He also has always had a "tight" smile-- I've noticed it, but never thought much of it other than thinking it was just "his" way of smiling-- though I did think it odd that no one else in our families smile that way. Now I realize his lip really was tight against his teeth.

Since this can lead to tooth decay in the future because it can be hard to get the teeth up under there very clean, we decided it would be worthwhile to do the procedure. It's quick and painless (because he is numb for it) and there is no blood. The whole thing only takes a few minutes.

When we got there, after talking with the doctor about everything, we had to "prep" him. He had to get swaddled, which he didn't seem to mind as long as he could have his paci, and he had to wear lenses to protect him from the laser.

Here the dentist is giving us some tips for making the exercises we'll have to do more fun.

He was given a topical anesthetic while I held him, and then I helped the hygienist and dentist hold him down for the injection of anesthetic. He did fine with both. After that I gave him a hug and a kiss and had to leave the room. Marcus was with us. We had to leave (for safety from the laser and so as not to distract C) and go down to the waiting room. By the time we got there, we could hear him cry for just a sec, and then it was done. They called us back, C reached out to me, and it was over. The dentist encouraged us to nurse so that the milk's antibodies could help with healing. Of course, C being C, he did not want to nurse, just wanted to cuddle. :)

The dentist even took a family photo just before the procedure and then emailed it to us later!

We have to do some little mouth exercises with him now to make sure it doesn't re-adhere. Three times a day for a month, and then he should be good to go. The rest of the day has been fine overall. He woke up crying from his nap when the anesthetic wore off. He's been a little more sensitive and moody, but not terrible. Eating and nursing as usual.

I'm thankful that all went smoothly and am thankful for a great dentist and team to work with! Not only did the dentist email me pictures later in the afternoon, just before bed she also texted to see how things were going! So thoughtful!