Connie, Yes, that "D" word rears its ugly head again! Technically, a non-MD LC cannot "diagnose" things like tongue tie and thrush even though we are probably in a better position and with more knowledge of topics like these than many docs are. I find myself using the phrase "What I'm seeing (or hearing) is consistent with............ Only the doctor can diagnose it for certain however." I will point it out to the parents. "Do you see that web of tissue under baby's tongue? Notice how it seems to keep the baby from baing able to stick its tongue out?" I'll describe the role the tongue plays in nursing effectively and state that sometimes when the tongue looks like her baby's, it is difficult for baby to get AND KEEP the tongue placed well for effective nursing. I go on to state that sometimes it helps to have that web of tissue snipped. Unfortunately, not all docs are familiar with the procedure and some don't believe it makes a difference. I may also go into a brief history of "snipping the tissue". When it went out of favor to routinely snip them, it coincided with the decline in breastfeeding, so the connection was missed for some time. I tell them to check it with their doc and if that doc is not receptive, I can give them the name of one who is. I find that parents tend to have a lot of concern when the subject is brought up. I point out that while correcting such a "variation from average" in an adult frequently requires major plastic surgery, in a newborn it is a relatively simple procedure-certainly far less invasive than a circ. (Not taking sides on the circ-no circ debate-simply comparing the procedures.) While it is frustrating to have to play word games, unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to do so. If we stick to describing our observations without using medical words we should be OK. We soon learn with whom we can call a duck a duck and with whom we have to describe it as a bird with webbed feet that goes "quack" and swims! Winnie *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html