Tongue-tie clinic up for an award

A CLINIC supporting mums who are struggling to breastfeed their tongue-tied babies has been shortlisted to received a prestigious health care award.

The service, provided by The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, helps mums with feeding challenges and can arrange an operation to be performed on tongue-tie babies under six months of age.

Based at the children’s outpatients department at The Royal Oldham Hospital, the service has been shortlisted for a Nursing Times awards.

Babies with tongue-tie sometimes struggle to breastfeed properly as they cannot extend their tongue.

This can be painful for the mum and can result in poor milk transfer with mums experiencing these problems often stopping breastfeeding their babies earlier than they would have liked.

Dr Val Finigan, consultant midwife at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This tongue-tie service means that mothers and babies can get their feeding problems resolved quickly.

“Mothers do not have to remain on the maternity wards because their tongue-tied babies are struggling to feed.

“Nor are they likely to stay on the children’s wards because of growth problems or prolonged jaundice due to poor milk transfer.

“Moreover, babies are less likely to be admitted for infections as breastfeeding is protective of their health.

“This frees up hospital beds and improves health for both mum and baby, as both are having a more positive feeding experience and breastfeeding for longer.”

The award ceremony is due to take place on Wednesday, October 29, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The leg ulcer clinic at North Manchester has also been shortlisted for an award.