Our pediatrician recommended that we have Leo's frenulum clipped. He said we don't have to, but thinks it might help nurse and provide some benefits when he's older. We aren't having a real bfing problem--he latches nicely and is already at his birth weight, but it does take him a really LONG time to nurse. Have any of you had this done? I've done some reading and everything I've read is that it is a big deal if it's done later, but is simple in a newborn with little to no blood and apparently no pain (?) --i find that last part hard to believe, though.

There is a video clip on Dr. Jack Newman's website of the "procedure" being done (if you can all it that, it took about 2 seconds).....The baby is crying from being held still by his mom, but it does seem to be pretty quick and newborns can nurse right away to comfort them.

A very good friend of mine had this done to her son, but they were having MAJOR latch issues - the primary indicator of tongue tie. If he is latching well, then what is the reason for doing the procedure? I have never heard of nursing for a really long time being an indicator of anything other than a hungry, healthy baby. (But this is a total opinion) Now I am wondering if I need to get my 6mo's frenulum clipped - he nurses forever! J/K

I am interested to hear what other folks say.

The time associated with nursing could be that he is relying more on suction than his tongue to get the milk. His suction is crazy strong.

Thanks for referring me to the video. It seems like the pros to this might outweigh the cons, especially if we don't do it and it has to be done later.

Not much experience here....but some babies are just s.l.o.w nursers. Especially at the beginning. Then when they get more efficient it doesn't take so long. Grant would always take his time...but he still does! He never lost a drop though. My first was fast and furious and milk was everywhere!

Jennyb

We had this done for Aralyn. My ped recommended waiting till 4mths and her husband (who shares the office with her) did the procedure. I was asked to leave, this might have been because Isaac was with me. It took all of one minute and although she was screaming (mostly from having to lay down and because I left the room, as soon as they opened the door and I picked her up she was fine. I was able to nurse her right away and did notice a difference immediately with her latch. We were not having any problems nursing, she was a great eater from birth. I was having some pain though and once she had the procedure done I realized the difference....she was not able to stick her tongue over her gums so she was biting down on my nipple causing sorness. I recommend the procedure, we never had any issues after and I am glad it was done early. You are probably right about the suction causing him to nurse longer...Aralyn also nursed this way prior to having it cut, after she would nurse for shorter intervals.

Emma always nursed at least 30 min on each side when she was younger, the got quicker as she got older. It had nothing to do with her tongue (I can't imagine) since she can stick her tongue all the way to the bottom of her chin! They don't give any kind of anesthetic?

Emma always nursed at least 30 min on each side when she was younger, the got quicker as she got older. It had nothing to do with her tongue (I can't imagine) since she can stick her tongue all the way to the bottom of her chin! They don't give any kind of anesthetic?

He did put a little something on her tongue, but it is really nothing major.....the cut anyway...babies are probably most freaked out by being laid down and having thier tongue held. The clip is quick and on an area that is not very sensitive, it heals quickly too and once I nursed Aralyn she was not in any visible pain....she was fine the rest of the day. Isaac was a bit more traumatized, he was so worried about his baby sister.

Amanda--I am just curious why the ped recommended this? Just for a slow eater? Is baby making any noises? clicking? having prob staying latched? Just wondering--many babies are slow to start, not necessarily a fren.

Did he say fren below tongue or one connecting upper lip? I would have an IBCLC consult just to make certain you need it done, if you dont really want to have it done.

From what little i know about the procedure, it is very quick, in ped office, little blood, little pain if any, with great results.

I cant remember what book i read it in right now, if i find it I will cite, but midwives used to keep a fingernail long and sharp to cut fren. Apparently back in the day, it was just part of the job to take a quick swipe at the fren to makes sure it wasnt too tight.

hope it works out for you and baby, whatever your decision may be...

Sorry Jackie, I just saw this.

So, to answer your questions: we discussed this at length with the ped and read a lot. It was below his tongue. He was clicking when nursing, but didn't have any problem staying latched and was eating really well --he put on a pound in his first week! He did seem to have trouble coordinating his tongue when getting on, but nothing dramatic or problem causing. My areolas felt sort of bruised from the suction, but nipples were great and it wasn't an intense pain or anything. An IBCLC consult is a great idea, if I had read this before I prob would have done that.

I read about the midwives too!


Thanks so much to all of your for your input. It was really helpful to hear about your experiences.

We did decide to have it done. It's been a week now and he is nursing better--even though there was never a real problem he is more efficient now, he does seem to be able to get on a bit better and I am not sore. The procedure is really simple and having done it now, i would do it again. There was no blood and it really did seem that he cried b/c he was held down for a second more than anything. I had my boob out and ready (the only thing a poor mama can do!) and he nursed immediately!

We ultimately decided to do this for him more than nursing (we really didn't expect as much of a nursing improvement as we've had b/c there really wasn't a big problem). I want him to be able to kiss a girl (oh my stomach knots!), stick his tongue out (to be corrected ) and eat ice cream. Doing this later is a much bigger deal and I don't want him to go through that.

I didn't read through everything. All I have to say is that I recommend not doing it. It's silly. They gave me the same rec with my firstborn and then told me if I opted out, he might be fine since it would probably just stretch. Well, it did and he nursed fine will I weaned him after a year. The really strange thing though is that I just took my son to the dentist a few months ago -- he's 10 now -- and the dentist recommended he get his frenulum clipped because it's shorter than avg. I asked what the point would be since he shows no signs of speech impediment. The dentist said, "Well, he won't be able to do this like everyone else" and he proceeded to touch his chin with his tongue.
Yeah, buddy. Whatever.