I'm amazed at the fact that MDs hem and haw about a clipping of a tongue
tie but they don't think twice about a circumcision.  Circs are very
painful.  They strap the baby in the circ board and away they cut.  The
poor little guys scream bloody murder!  Most people have the circ done for
looks.  A tongue tie, if left intact, can cause several permanent
problems.  First, you've got the breast feeding issue and the chance that
there won't be good milk transfer then you've created the vicious cycle of
milk problems and the chance that Mom quits.  Both Mom and baby loose if
this is the case.
  Second, structure follows function.  One of the many benefits of being a
breast fed baby is that you'll grow up good looking!  The facial
development is influenced greatly by how a child sucks.  If there is a
tongue tie then the child may not be sucking correctly.  He may  have to
compensate for the tongue tie and adjust his suck as best as he can to get
his nutrition and comfort. When a child is breast fed the face develops
the way nature intended it to.  Hopefully, the child has a wide mouth with
ample room for teeth so that he won't need braces in the future and if he
does it is a mild case just to straighten things a tad.
  Another problem that results from a tongue tie is a speech problem.  The
child can't move his tongue correctly to speak properly.  Now, the child
and parents are faced with many hours of speech lessons which may or may
not help.
  NOW, with just these three reasons, why are MDs so hesitent to perform a
virtually PAINLESS procedure?  The most upsetting part about the procedure
to the baby is probably being mummified  in order to immobilize him so
that they can snip without worring about  a moving target.

Rachel Pfab RN, IBCLC

I too, have had my fair share of MDs who think it isn't necessary!

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