Tongue-Tie and Breastfeeding

Yet another tricky topic...to clip or not to clip a baby's frenulum...

Many mothers complaining of sore nipples, the most common breastfeeding problem, have been associated with their baby being "tongue-tied", or having a short frenulum (connective tissue that extends from the underside of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth). Up to 10% of babies have short frenulums; when babies have this condition, their tongues cannot come down and cup the breast efficiently. In the past, many pediatricians have refused to treat them, stating that tongue tie does not cause breastfeeding problems. Others believe that the frenulum, if causing a breastfeeding problem, will stretch over time. However, at the recent American Academy of Pediatrics 2007 National Conference, Dr. Mervyn Griffiths, a pediatric surgeon, presented his own clinical trial results--with a simple, very quick, sterile snip of the frenulum (no anesthesia is necessary), 90% of mothers reported immediate improved feeding, comfort and lactation.

Dr. Griffiths has stated, "It is a situation that makes you happy that you became a surgeon. These mothers are genuinely overjoyed with what we have done."