Tongue Tie: What To Expect

Breastfeeding: better understanding tongue tie

Understanding Tongue Tie: What Mothers Should Look Out For

As a new mother, feeding your baby is one of the most significant and sometimes challenging aspects of early parenthood. While breastfeeding is often seen as a natural process, certain conditions can make it more difficult—one of these being tongue tie (ankyloglossia).

What Is Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie is a condition where the strip of tissue (lingual frenulum) connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. This restriction can impact a baby’s ability to move their tongue freely, which in turn can affect breastfeeding and overall oral function.

Signs of Tongue Tie in Babies

Mothers should be aware of the potential signs of tongue tie, as early identification can lead to quicker support and intervention. Some key signs include:

• Difficulty Latching: Your baby may struggle to get a good latch or seem to slip off the breast frequently.

• Painful Nursing: If breastfeeding is consistently painful despite proper positioning, tongue tie could be a factor.

• Clicking Sounds During Feeding: This may indicate an improper seal due to restricted tongue movement.

• Poor Weight Gain: If your baby is not gaining weight as expected, it could be due to inefficient feeding.

• Frequent Feeding or Frustration at the Breast: Babies with tongue tie may tire easily, requiring frequent feeding but still seeming unsatisfied.

• Reflux or Colic Symptoms: Some babies with tongue tie swallow more air while feeding, leading to gas and discomfort.

• 
  

How Does Tongue Tie Affect Mothers?

Tongue tie doesn’t just affect the baby—it can have an impact on the mother as well. Some challenges include:

• Sore, Cracked, or Bleeding Nipples: Due to improper latching, nursing can become extremely painful.

• Engorgement or Mastitis: If milk isn’t being effectively transferred, it can lead to clogged ducts or infections.

• Emotional Stress: The frustration of struggling with breastfeeding can lead to feelings of guilt, anxiety, or even postpartum depression.

What Can You Do?

If you suspect your baby has a tongue tie, consulting a healthcare provider such as a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or dentist is the next best step. They can assess your baby’s tongue movement and determine if intervention, such as a frenotomy (a simple procedure to release the tongue tie), is needed.

Support and Alternatives

Every mother’s journey is unique. If breastfeeding remains difficult despite interventions, mix feeding or formula feeding is always an option. The most important thing is ensuring both you and your baby are happy and healthy.

Motherhood comes with its challenges, but with the right information and support, you can make the best choices for you and your baby. If you’re struggling with feeding, remember—you’re not alone, and help is available.

Support links: If you continue to find breastfeeding challenging, reach out to your GP or community midwife as soon as possible querying tongue tie as the cause. Today, an easy referral can be made to the community specialist who can assess your baby and suggest appropriate interventions. In some cases they may offer you and your baby a tongue tie release, also known as frenotomy or frenectomy, is a simple procedure where the restrictive band of tissue (lingual frenulum) under the tongue is cut or lasered to improve movement.

For more in depth details on a tongue tie release and what to expect, please see my next blog.

Remember mummy, you are amazing! You are wonderful! Keep shining bright!