Dr Kotlow is correct...How many times have I seen tongue-tie not be
diagnosed and lead to (or possibly lead to) more complicated and expensive
problems?  In fact, today would be a good example.  

3 week old little boy, hasn't stooled in 8 days - Dr blows mom off saying
that is what breastfed babies do.  !!??  Not at 3 weeks, Sir.  Mom has been
working with the lactation nurse at the local hospital who never once (that
mom can recall) looked in the baby's mouth.  But since baby lost 12% of
birthweight by day 4 (after 18 hours of IV fluids and an induction) and a
vacuum extraction that left a large fluid filled lump on his head (today it
is at least 2 in. in diameter and at least 3/4 in raised!) the lactation
nurse had mom use a nipple shield.  That was too big.  That baby couldn't
get on to all the way. At all.  Even now.  Sigh...

I take a look and guess what?  Tongue-tie.  Easy for some to miss if they
don't actually evaluate tongue function - which, even tho he could extend
his tongue a bit, was very poor.  We won't talk about his tight muscle
issues.  We won't even discuss the possible ramifications and problems mom
and baby would likely have had if she hadn't shown up to group today...on a
whim...she had a gut feeling and listened.
 
Sadly though, in many cases, at least in my area, it is the immediate need
to feed the family that is bigger concern that a frenotomy and what the cost
may be down the road.  So, while the long term cost may be more, the short
term effects on the family financials can make it extremely difficult for
families to be able to see that bigger picture.  When you have to choose
between buying groceries or a frenotomy...groceries wins out nearly every
time.  

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could get proper and accurate evaluations,
diagnoses, and treatment without breaking the bank??

Warmly,
Jaye

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM
Breastfeeding Network
Sacramento, CA
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Lawrence Kotlow DDS [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2011 1:49 PM
Subject: cost of frenectomies

Everyone might look at the cost that is occurring for parents when the  
tongue -tie is not diagnosed and the parent spends days, weeks and even
months  
trying to figure out what the problems are. When all it is often is a 
problem  of  an  undiagnosed tongue ties.  It is not the cost of the
frenectomy, 
it is the cost of not doing it that adds up .  Dr.Kotlow

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