It is so sad that the myth persists that babies must be generally
anesthetized in order to have a simple frenotomy.  I just photographed
(pre-and post-procedure) the 2nd baby this Fall whom I sent to a pedi ENT
for clipping.  There are several in Austin who do the procedure.  They put
topical anesthesia on either side of the frenulum, and on top of the tongue,
and then make the snip.  It takes a second.  The baby I saw today had been
FTT and mom had a stripe across the nipples.  Frenulum was attached at the
tip, and the extension and lift of the tongue was severely impaired.  (This
was the baby I mentioned last week whose parents and older sib. all had
tongue-tie.)  She looks great today, 6 days after my original visit and 4
days post-frenotomy.  Tongue is completely healed, and baby is up 10 oz. on
bottle feeds.  Put the baby to breast, and she latched beautifully, and was
able to nurse 1.3 oz  (total) from both breasts (confirmed with test weight)
before fatiguing.  The tongue needs strengthening, so we will do short
frequent breastfeeds, some "exercising" during non-nutritive sucking on a
pacifier, and top off with post-feed pumped milk if necessary for another
day or two.  Mother was heartened to see baby do so well after being totally
unable to nurse.  Roberta Graham de Escovar is hear with me from the
Yucatan.  (You all remember the Mexican Milk Maid)  She accompanied me
today, and sends love to all her friends far and wide.
Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd., IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin Texas
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