If you’re a new parent, the thought of your baby having any kind of medical issue can be overwhelming. One of those issues could be a baby tongue tie. The issue is also known as ankyloglossia.
This condition occurs when the tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too thick or tight.
It can cause a number of breastfeeding issues, making it important for parents to understand what it is and how to manage it.
What are the symptoms of tongue tie?
The symptoms vary from baby to baby but can include difficulty latching onto their mother’s breast; clicking noises during feeding; signs of discomfort such as arching away from the breast or crying; poor weight gain; and nursing for long periods without seeming satisfied.
Mothers may experience sore nipples or low milk supply due to poor latch and incomplete emptying. If you think your baby has tongue tie, it’s best to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Treating baby tongue tie
If your doctor confirms that your baby has tongue-tie, they may recommend a procedure called frenotomy (or frenuloplasty).
This simple procedure involves snipping or releasing part of the tissue under your baby’s tongue so that they can move their tongue more freely.
The entire procedure takes only a few minutes and most babies tolerate it very well.
Don’t hesitate to use topical numbing cream if desired, but in some cases, no anaesthesia is needed.
Afterward, most babies feed better right away but some may take up to two weeks for full improvement in latch and comfort while nursing.
Managing ankyloglossia at Home
Once your baby has had surgery for their tongue tie, there are steps you can take at home to help with healing and prevent further issues down the line.
Firstly, provide plenty of skin-to-skin contact with your baby as this helps improve latching.
Ensure that you have adequate support from a lactation consultant who can answer any questions you might have while getting used to breastfeeding again after surgery.
Additionally, practice exercises such as pushing back on your baby’s tongue with either your finger or a popsicle stick (with supervision) will help keep their muscles loose and flexible.
Finally, monitor your baby’s progress closely in order to catch any potential problems before they become serious issues later on.
As a parent of a baby diagnosed with tongue tie, seek medical advice.
Also take proactive steps at home. That will ensure successful management of the condition moving forward.
Proper treatment can lead to normal feeding habits for babies. This gives families peace of mind as their babies get adequate nourishment. All this without further complications or difficulties.
