"I'm disappointed this was not picked up"

I was really struggling with breastfeeding and my health visitor referred my 11 day old baby to ENT for a tongue tie assessment. They also put me in contact with the breastfeeding specialist midwife.

I spoke to the midwife when my baby was 16 days old, as this was a feeding issue I was informed that the ENT appointment (which was scheduled for when my baby was 33 days old) would be expedited and I was also advised to start expressing milk. The midwife had recommended that I avail of a "hospital grade" breast pump that would be loaned to me.

At this point I was relieved that my concerns and issues were being dealt with as I was a new mum and anxious about the feeding of my newborn. I wasn't contacted about the pump until 11 days later. I was also disappointed to learn that the ENT appointment was never expedited.

When we attended the ENT appointment the doctor had informed me that my baby had a significant tongue tie and wasn't surprised that I had been struggling with latch and breastfeeding. The tongue tie needed to be corrected. I was extremely saddened by the lack of urgency demonstrated by staff when dealing with this issue.

My baby was nearly 5 weeks old and it should have been dealt with promptly given the fact it was a feeding issue. I'm also disappointed this was not picked up prior to our discharge from hospital when my baby had the full systematic check. I feel like we've been let down and ultimately robbed of our breastfeeding journey which is the most upsetting thing.