I can only speak for frenulum stretching from my experience with my own son.  Seth was born and breastfed within 30 minutes of his birth.  I noticed the very short frenulum right away.  My nipples were sore and I asked our pediatrician about clipping, but he was against it.  I asked for an ENT referral anyway and he gave it to me.  We couldn't get the ENT appointment for 6 weeks, so we went on breastfeeding and after two weeks, the soreness subsided.  We went for the appointment and the ENT agreed to clip it, but was not very educated on what affect the clipping would have on Seth's speech.  I wasn't impressed with the ENT and decided to not to let him do the clipping.  Seth went on to breastfeed for 3 1/2 years and his frenulum has stretched considerably and he has good range of motion with his tongue.  I think the breastfeeding helped his frenulum stretch.  He speaks OK now.  He has a bit of a stutter, but I don't think it's related to his frenulum.  My son and I are just one case, but breastfeeding worked out very well for us.  When faced with a short frenulum in practice, I give the parents all of the information that I have and let them make the decision on whether to pursue clipping.

Anne Nans, RN, IBCLC
Sackets Harbor, NY

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