7 week Tongue tied.

[Disnerd175]

I found out my now 7 week old is tongue tied a few weeks ago when I went to see my regular midwife (the midwife that seen me through the whole of my pregnancy) It's was the first time that someone had properly confirmed that, that's the reason why I have had trouble breastfeeding.

When my daughter was born the midwife that delivered her suggested she was either tongue tied or too tired after a traumatic birth after she wouldn't latch properly. They kept me in overnight to make sure she had been fed and to monitor us both after birth. I eventually ended up having to give her formula as she just wouldn't latch. I mentioned to all the midwifes that came to check on me that the first midwife had suggested my daughter was tongue tied but no other midwife confirmed this. It wasn't even picked up when my daughter had her checks to be discharged even when I mentioned it to them.

Cut a long story short I went and seen my regular midwife and after explaining to her about my struggles with breastfeeding my daughter, looked in my daughters mouth and confirmed she is in fact tongue tied and hence why I was struggling to breastfeed her. She then said that due to COVID I would have to pay to have the procedure done. I asked is it not free which she said not anymore due to COVID.
Has anyone experienced this. I know that they have to use sterilised equipment but surely you shouldn't have to pay for something that isn't your fault. When I spoke to my health visitor she just said yes you have to pay and that it needs doing as it will affect her speech.
I feel like they have me up against a brick wall as obviously I'm going to have to pay to get it done as I don't want my daughters speech affected when she gets older but can't see why they can't do it on the NHS.

That really doesn't sound right to me, I thought that was a standard procedure done on the NHS?! I am in the South East and my 4 week old DD has a minor tongue tie and my HV gave me the choice. Maybe speak to your GP and see if they can advise?

Is it a full tongue tie? My daughter had one that was not so obvious and yea I did struggle to breastfeed but no I didn't get it done and ended up on formula. My friend had to pay for the first and got the second on the NHS.

In NZ the midwives seem to diagnose tongue ties at the drop of a hat. Like 50% of kids would have them. But yeah it's a private procedure which I assume means the evidence that it is needed/helps is weak. I've never heard of it in the USA.

I think it's just a very brief lasering of the attachment under the tongue. I doubt it hurts speech etc later.

But anyway, main thought: make sure you have seen an official lactation consultant, not just a regular midwife. The lactation consultants can work wonders with the latch etc.

And if all else fails, supplementing with formula is totally fine! People are often way too stressed about that.