In my area I am lucky enough to have a pediatrician who is also IBCLC and
"clips" in his office.  It is nice because he sees patients who are not
"his".  Thanks to him, there are now a few doctors in his practice that do
the same.  Other peds will send the mom to surgeon, but most moms see that as
a more traumatic experience for the baby and do not want to do it.  The way I
feel about it is this---if this is not something the ped does, I doubt I
would want my babe to be his first.  I appreciate the doctor saying I do not
do this procedure as long as there is no objection and perhaps some
assistance in finding someone who does.  Isn't that what we all want--a
doctor willing to send along to those more experienced in a particular area
of care?
   Now, I am not able to find the reference or where it is published -- but
-- some years back there was a very interesting study done regarding speech
development.  It seems that certain sounds are "learned" at a very young
age--even before true speech is considered started. If I remember correctly,
the study dealt with Spanish speaking children who were being taught English.
 Those with short frenulums that were clipped later, could learn the English
no problem, but could not correct for Spanish sounds that should have been
developed already.    The person who shared this study with me is out on
medical leave and I am not able to contact her and I am not even sure she
would have the reference handy--although knowing her research oriented mind
she will.  So, if no one out there has heard of this before, and it is wanted
I will leave a message for her to see if she can provide it when she returns.
    The idea that we should wait until there is a speech problem, correct
with surgery and then speech therapy for a procedure that used to be
performed with the long fingernail of a midwife (way back not now) is hard to
understand.  The problem as I understand it, is that this procedure was at
one time performed quite regularly,  but now is seen as not needed until
medically indicated and ability to breastfeed is not a medical reason for
everyone.  I don't even see this on the same level as circumcision since
parents can have that done on request in less than 24 hours post-partum.
Maybe we should elevate it to the level of circs and add frenulum checks to
the rest of newborn routine checks and get the clipping done about the same
time as the PKU?  Okay, just thinking in dream land.

Happily enjoying Carissa and nursing a newborn again,
Pam Mazzella DiBosco, IBCLC   Florida, USA

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