has claimed that the NHS does not offer assistance for bottle-feeding mums whose babies have a tongue tie.
The star shared an anecdote from an unknown source as she conveyed her disbelief at the alleged policy on social media.
Kirstie tweeted: “Heard something so bizarre today that I just can’t believe it is true.
“A baby with a tongue tie cannot have it snipped on the NHS if it is bottle fed!!! So if the parent doesn’t take it to a private midwife it could have a speech impediment for life,” she added.
Her post has attracted over 200,000 impressions and many parents have responded with their own experiences.
Kirstie Allsopp hit out at the NHS over an alleged policy towards breastfeeding mothers. (Image: Getty)
In response to the post, one wrote: “Yep! I had to bottle feed my daughter as I had a mastectomy. Needed tongue tie snipping as it was so bad she couldn’t even latch the bottle it spilled out the side of her mouth. Even when they saw this, and they knew I physically couldn’t breastfeed had no boobs, it was still No NHS!” (sic)
A second commented: “There isn’t a standard policy for frenotomy so some areas will offer it, others won’t so try elsewhere. Evidence on a tongue tie affecting speech is lacking but can make bottle feeding hard and v dribbly.” (sic)
While a third remarked: “There is not evidence that tongue ties are linked to speech impediments, therefore not an indication to have one snipped. Please don’t spread misinformation.”
A fourth added: “I have an almost 4 week old with a tongue tie. All NHS midwives have commented & noted it but no action taken. NHS in our area only divide if weight severely impacted otherwise have to arrange private treatment.” (sic)
Kirstie Allsopp is known for her role on Location, Location, Location. (Image: Getty)
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On the NHS website, tongue tied is described as: “If you or your child have tongue-tie, the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth usually looks shorter or tighter than usual.
“The tongue may also look heart-shaped when it’s lifted or stuck out.
“Tongue-tie may not cause any problems, but it can make it difficult to move the tongue. For example, you may not be able to move your tongue from side-to-side, lift it up or stick it out.
“In babies, tongue-tie can make it difficult for them to breastfeed or bottle-feed.”
To treat tongue tie, the NHS advised that “treatment is not usually needed if is not causing any problems”.
However if there are concerns such as “difficulty feeding” they would need “breastfeeding or bottle-feeding advice from a trained health professional”.
Or could require a “small surgery to cut the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth”.
In young babies, the surgery is usually done without any anaesthetic. In older babies (and children and adults) the surgery is usually done with general anaesthetic.
After surgery, most babies get better quickly and are able to feed better.