Best way to get referral to kings tongue tie clinic?

[monniemae]

Health visitor has confirmed 13day old baby has "a partial tongue tie" but as the baby is putting weight on wasn't bothered and suggested I alternate using bottles if feeding is hurting.

I think I would prefer to get things checked out / snipped - feeding is q sore and the latch is shallow and it all takes ages etc etc...

Does anyone know the best way to get referred? Should I go to a breastfeeding cafe? We live in New Cross Gate but the baby was born at Kings (our nearest hospital) so am assuming that's the best place for us to get referred to.

Or has anyone had it done privately? A friend has recommended Kate Fisher who I think runs a private clinic with the Kings surgeon Mr Patel.

Thanks for any advice

[alieh]

We had it done privately but it was covered by my husband's work insurance. Only because I was desperate to avoid the weeks of agony and lacerated nipples I suffered with my first baby! But my first son it was done through the Kings clinic and that time they were able to fit him in quite quickly.

Both times I paid for a consultation with Katie Fisher in the first instance and she sorted out both the Kings referral and the private Dr. Patel appointment. I think it cost about ?100 for her to come to the house for a couple of hours and then we had lots of follow up phone calls and emails included in that.

I'm sure you can get a referral without paying a lactation consultant, I just don't know exactly how. I was desperate for help (and it was Xmas Eve!) so didn't mind paying Katie to come quickly.

Incidentally, that sounds like not great advice from the HV re: alternating with bottles with such a young baby when you're trying to get breastfeeding established so definitely sounds like you need another opinion!

[monniemae]

thanks alieh! yep wasn't totally convinced... esp given her sleep advice as per other thread..

[Syppox2000]

Hi

I went to a breast feeding cafe with my son. We went to the one at jessop primary and rosendale school and were then referred by the lactation consultant Anna, who was great. My son also had only partial tongue tie but it was so painful for me. We were then given an appointment at kings about 5 days later. This was in June this year. I hope you get it sorted, it made a massive difference for us.

[Piaf]

I was told by my midwife that you now need two referrals but that you can get them from the breast feeding clinics especially the one on wednesday at rosendale and Thursday at Peckham library as there are specialist lactation hvs there. They are v nice too!

That said with my first I got Ann Dobson a lactation consultant to come to my house and she did the snip on our sofa with the minimum of fuss. This was north London but she travels all over. Think it cost about ?100 about four yrs ago. You can google her, she was pretty good I think

Good luck: your hv sounds hopeless so ignore her

[jollybaby]

I had my daughter's tongue tie snipped by an independent midwife at home. Her name is Rene Schwencke and she is based in Bexley but covers the ED area. It cost ?120 which included an optional follow up visit. She was able to see us the day after I called and the relief was immediate.

https://www.facebook.com/rene.schwencke

[Jtpickers]

You can also call Clare kedves at kings, direct - she's their tongue tie expert. We were seen v quickly and she would have arranged for it to be done on the NHs (you do need 2 referrals, but she can provide both by seeing you twice). I went to see Katie fisher/Patel privately though as I was in a rush, and was v happy. It was worth seeing Clare though as the tongue tie started to grow back after a couple of weeks, and she helped with that.

[monniemae]

thanks everyone, esp Jtpickers, will call Clare tomorrow and see how we get on, and maybe call Katie Fisher if it's looking like it will take ages.

[Fuschia]

Had ours done privately by calling dr pastels secretary

Desperate as it was just before Xmas

Ideally you would have feeding support after to help bsby learn to feed without the tt

[monniemae]

Fuschia do youhv contact details?

[Fuschia]

Not sure i have her name still but here he is

http://www.kingsprivate.com/consultant-search.aspx?consultant=52&view=details

I seem to recall it cost something like ?450

[Sarah30]

My midwife told me to go to the breast feeding cafe at peckham library - can't remember the lady's name but she was lovely. We were referred on the Thursday and had the snip on the Monday. Fantastic service and 2 weeks afterwards, my little one was feeding properly for the first time. Absolutely no regrets - just wish I hadn't left it 4 weeks before going to the BF cafe!