A Fermanagh mother has raised the importance of the tongue-tie clinic facility in local hospitals.

Natasha Dane, a mother of three from Lisbellaw felt the need to raise the issue of tongue-tie in breast feeding babies as her children have all benefited from having the procedure done.

Explaining what tongue-tie is, Natasha said: “Tongue-tie affects babies who need to breast feed as it prevents them from getting a latch on the breast.”

Tongue-tie is where the strip of skin connecting the baby's tongue to the bottom of their mouth is shorter than usual. The condition is common but can cause issues for breast feeding mums and babies.

She added: “It can sometimes hurt mums as well when trying to feed the baby which results in mums having to stop breast feeding earlier. It can feel like a clamp on the nipple, it can cause cracked nipples which are painful and can lead to infection.”

Natasha explained that it can have other negative side affects on mothers and babies. She added: “It is a really emotive topic for people, sometimes mums might feel depressed if they can’t breast feed their baby or have to stop early.”

“We know that breast fed babies are healthier and there are long term benefits in terms of breast-feeding babies for their health, the mother’s health in preventing certain types of cancers and diseases and also for the bond between mother and baby.”

Natasha explained how one of her children had the procedure at 18 hours old while a patient in Craigavon Area Hospital.

She said: “His blood sugars were low as he was not feeding properly, and they wanted to admit him to NICU, the tongue tie procedure was carried out and he did not need to be admitted.

"He had a full tongue-tie so had the procedure to remove the anterior tongue tie (when the tongue held down all the way to the tip) first and later had the procedure to remove the Posterior tongue-tie (nearer to the base of the tongue)."

Natasha had launched a petition earlier this month calling for a midwife led tongue-tie clinic to be installed at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).

This newspaper approached the Western Trust for comment regarding access to a tongue-tie clinic in South West Acute Hospital and a spokesperson from the Western Health and Social CareTrust, said:“Midwife led Tongue Tie clinic are for Breastfeeding babies only and will be weekly at both South West Acute Hospital and Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

“Babies are referred to the Midwife Led Tongue Tie Clinic for breastfeeding assessment by the Specialist Midwife and not all require frenotomy. The plan will be to ensure a weekly service in the Western Trust area, however, on some occasions this may mean babies are not being assessed in their nearest hospital at times as a member of staff may be off on leave therefore they will be offered an appointment."

The spokesperson added: “Within the Region only the Northern Health Trust and Western Health Trust have a Midwife Led service in place. Regionally HSC Trusts are endeavouring to train Midwives to replicate this model of care for all breastfeeding babies.”