Let me introduce myself please,
I am a practicing registered midwife in the Netherlands and a mother of 4
grownup children. Also a LLL-leader (reserve). In this country it too is
very hard to get a frenulum clipped. Reason is that few doctors
have workable knowledge about breastfeeding, let alone complicated cases.
Their textbooks are sponsored by one of the world's leading industries for
infant  formulae and only spend may be 3 pages on breastfeeding. For
generations the netherlands have been famous for their frisian cows, they
have been exported all over the globe for their abundant milk supply. In
short we have too many cows here, too much milk to be sold, too many people
making a living on it etc. etc. Holland has therefor the lowest figures in
breastfeeding results in the world. Leading peadiatricians (professors at
universities) were deeply involved with prescribing formulae to premature
babies or supplementory formulae to healthy at term babies. In most cases
where a child needs a medical intervention, it is of course recommendable
to wait until the child is a bit older to be able to communicate with it.
Because of their ignorance with regard to breastfeeding these doctors do
not realize the importance and urgency of frenulum clipping needed
sometimes. Also they are unfamiliar with the simplicity of the procedure
involved. Any doctor could do it. We are working and slowly succeeding in
getting them educated. I think that the scandinavian countries probably
have knowledge about frenulum clipping most widely spread, as they have
very impressive breastfeeding statistics. In Holland the norm dictated
officially, is breastfeeding. But many healthcare workers are anxious to
add that of course nobody should breastfeed unless she wants to. And better
give a bottle with joy than breastfeed with mixed feelings.. Of course, we
would think, but there is no need to stress this view, without being asked.
Gre Keijzer
Holland

I would be interested in knowing what is done in countries where
breastfeeding is "supported" as the
norm. - how is frenotomy handled? Also standard? Who does it?
 >Why do some Ohio Obs. find it easy to clip? What is wrong with this
picture? Why will some physicians do it easily and others make a production
of it? What is the problem? Why do some just clip and others need
anesthesia?  Pedi wants to wait until baby is
older since an oral surgeon may be involved if jaw does not settle out.
Baby would use his jaw - latch wider and get stronger if he was not tongue
tied.

 >Sue Majoris RN IBCLC
 >Indiana, PA - working to be Mother Friendly and Baby Friendly!
 >

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