QUESTION 2. Should an infant who is breastfeeding poorly and has a tongue tie undergo a tongue tie division? -- Algar 94 (11): 911 -- Archives of Disease in Childhood

The whole issue (of whether tongue tie -ankyloglossia is related to breastfeeding difficulties) is complicated when considering that many studies have attempted to measure the degree of tongue tie, a notoriously difficult endeavour, and that once graded, the degree of impairment appears not to correlate with breastfeeding problems. With all this considered, one cannot ignore the plethora of documented experience that supports this procedure, so much so that NICE have produced an interventional procedure guideline that acknowledges that the little evidence there is does seem to suggest that this procedure can improve breastfeeding while having no major safety concerns. As a result it suggests that the evidence is enough to support the use of the procedure provided that normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance.11

If mothers overwhelmingly tell us that it works, then why should we argue?

What a sensible conclusion!!!

QUESTION 2. Should an infant who is breastfeeding poorly and has a tongue tie undergo a tongue tie division? -- Algar 94 (11): 911 -- Archives of Disease in Childhood