Tongue-tie baby

Tongue-tie baby

Tongue-tie is a condition in which the lingual frenulum (the thin piece of tissue under the tongue) is too short or tight. 

Tongue-tie can cause difficulties with breastfeeding, as it can make it difficult for the baby to latch on to the breast properly and to suck effectively.

Symptoms of tongue-tie in a baby may include:

• Difficulty latching on to the breast: The baby may have difficulty opening their mouth wide enough to latch on to the breast or may have difficulty keeping the mouth open while breastfeeding.

• Difficulty sucking: The baby may have difficulty sucking effectively, resulting in poor milk transfer or long feeding times.

• Gasping or choking while breastfeeding: The baby may gasp or choke while breastfeeding due to difficulty sucking or swallowing.

• Clicking or smacking sounds while breastfeeding: The baby may make clicking or smacking sounds while breastfeeding due to difficulty sucking or swallowing.

• Difficulty staying latched on to the breast: The baby may have difficulty staying latched on to the breast and may frequently slip off the nipple.

• Poor weight gain: The baby may have difficulty gaining weight or may lose weight if they are unable to get enough milk due to tongue-tie.

If a baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important for the parents to consult a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant for evaluation and guidance. 

In some cases, tongue-tie may be treated with a procedure called a frenotomy, which involves cutting the tight tissue under the tongue to allow the tongue to move more freely.