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Services for babies with breastfeeding problems because of tongue tie need to be improved, a parenting charity says.
The condition, which restricts the movement of the tongue, can be treated with a simple procedure.
The NCT said services around the UK were too patchy, and more awareness was needed.
However, midwives' leaders said the procedure should only be done if feeding problems were definitely being caused as a result.
Tongue tie happens when the fold of the skin that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter than usual.
The congenital condition, which affects around 3% of babies, can lead to problems for them "latching on" to their mother.
"POOR PROVISION"
Some families end up paying more than ?100 for private treatment or abandoning breastfeeding.
NCT chief executive Belinda Phipps said: "Mothers who contact our helpline about this are desperate and usually in tears.
"Everyone who comes into contact with a new mum needs to be aware of tongue tie as a possibility if there are feeding problems.
"And we would like to see a service for tongue-tie treatment available at every maternity unit in the country."
The NCT is taking up with government ministers what it calls the problem of poor provision.
The minister for maternity and child health, Dan Poulter, said: "We always recommend that mothers breastfeed their children where possible as it has huge health benefits.
"We know tongue tie can make feeding difficult, and health professionals should discuss options with parents and agree the most appropriate form of treatment."
NO SAFETY CONCERNS
Tongue tie varies in severity. If a procedure is needed, the fold of the skin is cut in what is known as division.
The healthcare watchdog NICE endorsed the procedure in 2005, saying there were no major safety concerns. It is often done by surgeons but other healthcare professionals can perform it.
Figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that more than 5,000 babies in England had tongue-tie division in hospital last year. Others may have had the procedure in community settings.
Mervyn Griffiths, a consultant paediatric surgeon at Southampton Children's Hospital, has led training and research on tongue-tie division.
He said: "Small babies feel pain differently from older ones. The smell of mum and milk is more important than painkillers for them.
"We know from our studies that the average time between dividing the tongue tie and a baby feeding silently is about 15 to 20 seconds. Complications are very, very rare."
妇产慈善机构指出，结舌患儿吮乳困难急需接受专门服务。结舌指由于舌系带短缩，舌尖受其牵绊，以致舌头转动伸缩不灵，妨碍吮乳。英国国家分娩联合会指出，目前英国3%婴儿患有结舌，而英国的相关服务过于零散，公众意识不足，大多家庭需花费100英镑接受私人服务甚至放弃母乳喂养。联合会旨在增强公众对结舌的意识并最终在全国所有妇产科提供针对结舌的服务。英国妇女及儿童健康部长丹·普尔特指出，国家大力提倡母乳喂养，关于结舌对母乳喂养的危害，医学专家应与家长共同讨论并找到恰当的治疗方案。2005年，英国国家临床医学研究所批准切割舌系带的手术，外科医生及其他医学人员皆可操刀。与手术之痛相比，能够接受母乳喂养对于婴儿来说更加重要，而且手术并发症的可能极低。
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26199591]
The condition, which restricts the movement of the tongue, can be treated with a simple procedure.
The NCT said services around the UK were too patchy, and more awareness was needed.
However, midwives' leaders said the procedure should only be done if feeding problems were definitely being caused as a result.
Tongue tie happens when the fold of the skin that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter than usual.
The congenital condition, which affects around 3% of babies, can lead to problems for them "latching on" to their mother.
"POOR PROVISION"
Some families end up paying more than ?100 for private treatment or abandoning breastfeeding.
NCT chief executive Belinda Phipps said: "Mothers who contact our helpline about this are desperate and usually in tears.
"Everyone who comes into contact with a new mum needs to be aware of tongue tie as a possibility if there are feeding problems.
"And we would like to see a service for tongue-tie treatment available at every maternity unit in the country."
The NCT is taking up with government ministers what it calls the problem of poor provision.
The minister for maternity and child health, Dan Poulter, said: "We always recommend that mothers breastfeed their children where possible as it has huge health benefits.
"We know tongue tie can make feeding difficult, and health professionals should discuss options with parents and agree the most appropriate form of treatment."
NO SAFETY CONCERNS
Tongue tie varies in severity. If a procedure is needed, the fold of the skin is cut in what is known as division.
The healthcare watchdog NICE endorsed the procedure in 2005, saying there were no major safety concerns. It is often done by surgeons but other healthcare professionals can perform it.
Figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that more than 5,000 babies in England had tongue-tie division in hospital last year. Others may have had the procedure in community settings.
Mervyn Griffiths, a consultant paediatric surgeon at Southampton Children's Hospital, has led training and research on tongue-tie division.
He said: "Small babies feel pain differently from older ones. The smell of mum and milk is more important than painkillers for them.
"We know from our studies that the average time between dividing the tongue tie and a baby feeding silently is about 15 to 20 seconds. Complications are very, very rare."
妇产慈善机构指出，结舌患儿吮乳困难急需接受专门服务。结舌指由于舌系带短缩，舌尖受其牵绊，以致舌头转动伸缩不灵，妨碍吮乳。英国国家分娩联合会指出，目前英国3%婴儿患有结舌，而英国的相关服务过于零散，公众意识不足，大多家庭需花费100英镑接受私人服务甚至放弃母乳喂养。联合会旨在增强公众对结舌的意识并最终在全国所有妇产科提供针对结舌的服务。英国妇女及儿童健康部长丹·普尔特指出，国家大力提倡母乳喂养，关于结舌对母乳喂养的危害，医学专家应与家长共同讨论并找到恰当的治疗方案。2005年，英国国家临床医学研究所批准切割舌系带的手术，外科医生及其他医学人员皆可操刀。与手术之痛相比，能够接受母乳喂养对于婴儿来说更加重要，而且手术并发症的可能极低。
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26199591]