Bright Smile English

Breastfeeding and the Tongue Tied Baby

The Tongue Tied Baby and Breastfeeding

Advantages of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been shown to be the best way to provide nutrition and health to a newborn. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) joins other organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) in recommending breastfeeding as the best method for providing nutrition for babies. Breastfeeding helps defend against infections, prevent allergies, and protect against a number of chronic conditions.

The tongue- or lip-tied baby

Many factors contribute to the process of suckling and most of the time it goes smoothly and we don’t give it a second thought. However a small percentage of babies do not succeed in nursing properly and sufficiently, or cause the mother tremendous pain while nursing. Among the most common factors are slight oral aberrations that prevent the tongue or lips from moving correctly. All of us have a band of tissue, called a frenum, that attaches our gums to our lips from the inside and our tongue to the floor of the mouth. When that tissue is either in the wrong place or very thick and fibrous, it will prevent the tongue and lips from working correctly. This can cause feeding problems and even speech defects.

The procedure to correct it

When a baby is referred to us from a lactation consultant or a pediatrician, we evaluate their oral anatomy to determine if a frenectomy is really needed. Often, the consultants don’t have a proper light and the ability to see into the mouth of a squirming baby. As a result, sometimes when we evaluate the babies, we tell the parents that we don’t think anything needs to be done.

If we determine that the baby does have a problematic frenum, then we will “clip” it in a procedure that takes only a second or two and is often relatively painless. Immediately after the procedure, the baby is given to the mother to nurse. Even if the baby cries, he or she usually calms down within seconds after starting to nurse, indicating that whatever pain there was is quite minimal. There might be a small bit of bleeding but this it also stops within seconds.

Post-operative care

After the procedure, very little needs to be done. There may be a small wound for a few days, but the mouth is a forgiving environment and heals quickly and uneventfully. In rare cases, a second clipping might be needed beneath the tongue. While the research is not definitive on the efficacy of these procedures, the anecdotal evidence from mothers is quite overwhelming. They are certain these formerly problematic eaters nurse better and with less pain after the procedure.

Should you have need of our services, please don’t hesitate to be in touch at 02-679-8040.