Barbara,

I think deciding whether or not there is a tongue-tie, and whether it
needs snipping or not is a difficult issue.

My colleague and I have sometimes been asked to do the snipping for a
surgeon who has arranged a division list and then been delayed/called
away etc. So these are Mums we have never met before.

Some of these want the tongue-tie divided because of possible speech
problems etc. They say they are not having breastfeeding problems.
When we have done the snip we ask Mum to put the baby to the breast.
They all say that it now feels different, better. We think that these
babies have been managing, but that is all. They have not been feeding
efficiently but their mothers, usually primips, have not realised this.

I also believe that it is so important for these mothers to be in
contact with an LC, or similar, afterwards. Some of the babies are not
positioned well, so we can give them some tips before they leave. Of
course, this may have been why the feeding was not going well before,
but I don't think so.

It is so rewarding to see the relief that comes over the mother's face
when she puts her baby to the breast straight after the division, and
finds that the pain has gone! It is such a privilege to be able to help
them.

Regards,

--
Carolyn Westcott RN IBCLC Southampton UK
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