My newborn needs help

No-one mentioned tongue tie, the midwives wanted me to bottle feed Sophie. I gave her formula but once home I dug out a breast-pump a friend had passed onto me which I used for three weeks, just topping up with formula if needed.

I managed to help breastfeed Sophie eventually through sheer determination and with the help of my health visitor who had discovered Sophie had a tongue tie. The little bit of skin just under the tongue was too tight and Sophie couldn't move her tongue around her mouth properly or lick her lips. However, I was relieved to learn that surgery would rectify the problem.

When Sophie was assessed at eight months the doctor said nothing about the tongue-tie, merely that she would see her again in four months. I realised I might have a struggle to get my daughter the help she needed. I saw another doctor who referred us to a paediatrician.

He listened to my husband and I voice our concerns but said that he considered tongue tie barbaric to treat and he would only perform the procedure if Sophie wanted it corrected when she turned 16. He said he would see her again when she was two.

Both my husband, Lee, and I were very disappointed by his attitude, but we were determined to get Sophie the help she needed - now. We searched the Internet and found a doctor in Southampton who sent lots of information. My husband and I agreed that if Sophie's tongue tie wasn't fixed by the time she was two years old we would pay for private treatment.

I informed her doctor and my health visitor of our decision. My health visitor, who was incredibly supportive, also assessed Sophie's speech. While she lacked the ability to pronounce words appropriate to her age, she did have a good range of vocabulary and understanding.