Dear Susan;
This has been an onging battle with me too. Since hearing Brian Palmer and
getting the Hazelbaker tool for Frenulum assessment a few years ago, I let
the patients decide. I provide them with the written material and let them
view Brian's video and try to empower them to advocate on behalf of their
own babies. Some will go through loops to get a doctor to clip the
tongue-tie but have always been pleased with the outcome. We do have one
ENT who will clip if he gets a referral from the GP. Some quit but
generally the outcome is positive.

None of the Pediatricians here on staff will refer but I bide my time, if I
can, using other tools if baby won't really latch or has difficulties and
keep writing the reports that this baby is having difficulties feeding or
mom's supply is going down.Generally the parents will get a referral from
someone. I keep asking the patients who have had positive results to report
back to their doctors or write a letter to the doctor who wouldn't refer.
This has made many enemies for a time, alienating lots of professional
people but usually my clients and their babies are very pleased and that is
what counts.What is really great is home many parents will than talk about
how much they have learnt about the breastfeeding process, the medical
process and how to take control of their own lives and those of their
family members.

I have had strong disagreements with many doctors. But equipping the
parents with written information is your best tool. Some days I can take
criticism better than others, but my patients or babies come first. All the
doctors that I have had a terrible time with (even the one who was sooo
angry with me and accused me of making a well baby sick, etc. etc.) still
refer to me. Hang in there and take heart from your lectnet support group.
I have on many occassions.

Attie Sandink RN. IBCLC