New baby has tongue tie -what to do?

[StarlightWithAsteroid]

Okay. New baby is 3 weeks old and has tongue tie. It isn't severe but it is there. Mws and HV say he hasn't got tongue tie (although I never actually raised it with them. They looked in his mouth and just declared he didn't.

Now, this is my third baby with tt. My plan, was to grin and bare the soreness and frequent feeds until his mouth was a bit bigger and we had established our own optimal feeding arrangement, which is what I did with the others (well Ds went on formula for a bit of the day until 6 weeks.). I do appear to be blessed with iron nipples.

However, I've changed my mind and want to get this addressed. How do I go about it?

You can either try to get your HV to get you a appointment at your local hospital with an consultant who may or mayor snip it depending on what they think. Or you could look for a lactation consultant who qualified to snip tt. Which you'll have to pay for.

Milk matters also do online assessments for a fee and can halo you get it done on the nhs.

www.lcgb.org/ lactation consultants

Do you have any local support groups (or even just a phone number of a local BFC)? They'll probably know who the best person is to contact locally; ours can even do the referral themselves.

No. We have support groups. Lots in fact. But they are all when I'm doing either the am or pm school run.

Oh, that's no help. Any contact numbers advertised for the support groups, who you could call for advice?

Tbh I'm new to the area so only know them about them from websites like netmums etc and they have no numbers. I'm also unsure of the addresses as I don't know my way around yet. I can't even get to the blimmin baby weight clinics as they also happen at pick up/drop off, although I admit I have rather a lengthy school run.

My DS was done via the GP at the hospital. My area has a policy of not doing them until 8 months old. I fed for 6 weeks, and then bottle fed. Good luck!

A policy of not doing them until 8 months old??!?!?! What craziness is that?? They need a general anaesthetic then, don't they?!. Honestly, you do wonder about the NHS sometimes.

Check out LCGB website - there will be a list of tongue tie dividers near you. They can do it in your home if you're happy with that.

Hi
If you are on facebook there is a super group called Tongue Tie Babies support group, lots of qualified advice from ibclc types and support from other mothers.
Also
www.coteroyddentalpractice.co.uk/ uses a laser for tt and also does lip tie.

Thanks for the help everyone. A few options to explore.

I'll check out the FB group too.

what time are the support groups. We run ours as a drop in we don't expect people to stay the hole time our come st the start. I'll even stay late of a mum who's struggled to make turns up just before we finish and she's in need of help.

9-10:30 and 2-4 or 1:30-4.

hum not great times for the school run. Who planning them at such poor times. I'd rock up slightly early at the 1.30 one you don't need to stay for the hole time just till you've had a good chat and help with latch. They may also be able to point you in the right direction of a HCP who can help with the tongue tie.

I have to leave the house at 1:30 for pick up

Okay, I've found a bfing group on a social housing estate run by HVs from 11:30 - 1pm.

Are they likely to be able to help?

The tongue tie is not too obvious but I can see what the problem is. It's slight, but it really is causing problems. What will they actually DO anyway?

It's a bit of a treck but I don't want to be lugging me and my kids all the way there if they are going to deny its existence and tell me I have to go and convince my GP, who I KNOW from the outset will just ignore me if the solution is going to mean funding something.

Starlight,do I remember correctly,from the antenatal thread,that you are in/around North London? If so,ask them for a referral to the tongue tie clinic at Royal Free,they normally see you within a week and are really excellent.

I'm in Kingston. I WAS in NL, but moved at 37 weeks.

Is Kingston in the RF referral area? A bit nervous about RF as my Dad spent his last days there and imo was abused and neglected. But really do want to get this sorted. Every feed is my last atm.

I'd imagine there's somewhere a bit nearer to you. list of locations in uk for tongue tie division

Stupid waste of time that breastfeeding cafe was!!!!!!

Looking at that list - the rapid access clinic at George's tooting sounds like you could self refer and is closer to where you are.

Thank you. I'll try and call them this pm. Can't believe how unhelpful and patronising the HV was at the clinic. There was a lovely student there though who out of earshot of the HV informed me that there were private options and was much more helpful in general.

The number doesn't work

There is a tongue tie clinic at kingston hospital run by a Dr Graham Smith on a wednesday evening IIRC. I just called them up to check he still does it and was given the following direct line for his secretary - Mrs Wheeler:

0208 949 7524
079220 638 01

I am not sure if you will need a referral, but you never know, I would give them a ring. WOuldn't it be great if you could get it done this eve?!?!?

We had DS's done there and it was fine, he was a very nice chap. It cost us about £80 I seem to remember. Seems a lot but it's quickish, and formula is going to cost you more than that if you have to give up the BF :)

He is an oral maxillo facial surgeon by the way so should know what he is doing.

Thank you. First number redirected to a fax. 2nd had option to leave message but didn't say who I was through to. Did leave message though.