![\"What's](\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Whats-Tongue-Tie-1024x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat is Tongue Tie? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition present at birth where the thin piece of tissue (frenulum) under the tongue is unusually short, tight or thick. This restriction can limit tongue movement, sometimes making breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or later speech more difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Severity varies; some babies have no problems, while others need evaluation by a pediatrician or lactation consultant. Babies with tongue tie are able to drink, but not as efficiently as they could be. They are getting enough milk\/formula to keep them interested in feeding and often fall asleep before they are full because they are working so hard to get milk. Additionally they may take in unnecessary air, due to their limited latch, which causes them to have excess gas and a reflux misdiagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the signs of Tongue-Tie<\/strong>?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you suspect baby might be tongue-tied, observe how feeding feels and looks. The following signs may suggest a restricted tongue movement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Baby\u2019s tongue lifts in a small \u201chump\u201d instead of cupping around your finger or nipple.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Baby makes clicking sounds while sucking, or milk dribbles from the corners of the mouth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Baby tires easily<\/a> during feeds, often falling asleep before finishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The nursing parent\u2019s nipples appear sore, creased, or with a red circular spot after feeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When you gently sweep your finger under baby\u2019s tongue, you feel a tight band or bump instead of a smooth surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If any of these signs are present, or if feeding remains painful or inefficient despite good positioning, suggest contacting the pediatrician, ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist), or IBCLC-certified lactation consultant for an assessment. These professionals can evaluate how the frenulum is affecting feeding and recommend next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s Posterior Tongue Tie?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Posterior tongue-tie is the most common presentation of tongue tie, and there are three quick ways to tell if baby is tongue-tied. If any of the three below is present, ask a pediatrician for an ear, nose & throat referral so the ENT doctor can give baby a proper diagnosis and help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Give baby your pinky and let her suck on the tip to see what her latch looks like. If the back of her tongue goes up in a little hump, that is indicative of tongue tie. A proper latch will be tongue enveloping your pinky, where her tongue wraps around the pinky.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For breastfeeding moms, examine your nipple- if a red circular spot is present on your nipple, it indicates baby\u2019s tongue is rubbing back and forth in that one area which shows TT. There is enough milk coming out to keep baby feeding but perhaps not enough to satiate baby.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sweep your pinky under baby\u2019s tongue. If you feel a bump where the side-to-side sweep is interrupted, that can be indicative of tongue-tie. If the underside of her tongue is smooth she is not tongue-tied.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Do Preemies Have a Greater Chance of Tongue Tie?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes there is evidence that premature babies experience tongue tie at a greater rate than full term babies. However the assessment and interventions are no different and are just as effective. (Wiley<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow is Tongue-Tie Is Treated? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tongue-tie is treated with a quick procedure called a frenotomy. During a frenotomy, a trained provider snips the tight tissue (the frenulum) under the tongue to improve movement. It usually takes only a few seconds, causes minimal discomfort and babies can feed immediately afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most mild tongue-ties don\u2019t need treatment though; they\u2019re managed with positioning support, lactation guidance and monitoring feeding and weight gain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cases where the frenulum is thicker or extends further back, a frenuloplasty may be done instead. This involves a slightly longer procedure and a few stitches to allow for proper healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After either procedure, gentle stretching exercises are sometimes recommended to prevent the tissue from reattaching. This usually means gently sliding a clean finger under the tongue and lifting it toward the roof of the mouth, until you see the diamond-shaped healing area. Many babies feed and latch more easily once the tongue has full range of motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tongue-tie is one of those things in babies that we may not find unless we really look. But once it is corrected baby will nurse and bottle-feed much more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you suspect tongue tie is affecting your baby’s feeding, overnight monitoring of feeding patterns, diaper output, and weight gain can help you build the picture before your pediatrician visit. Let Mommy Sleep’s registered nurses and certified newborn care specialists <\/a>do exactly that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor more tips and evidence based info like this, visit Your First Week Home with Baby: Ultimate Q&A<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you suspect baby might be tongue-tied, observe how feeding feels and looks. The following signs may suggest a restricted tongue movement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Baby\u2019s tongue lifts in a small \u201chump\u201d instead of cupping around your finger or nipple.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Baby makes clicking sounds while sucking, or milk dribbles from the corners of the mouth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Baby tires easily<\/a> during feeds, often falling asleep before finishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The nursing parent\u2019s nipples appear sore, creased, or with a red circular spot after feeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When you gently sweep your finger under baby\u2019s tongue, you feel a tight band or bump instead of a smooth surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If any of these signs are present, or if feeding remains painful or inefficient despite good positioning, suggest contacting the pediatrician, ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist), or IBCLC-certified lactation consultant for an assessment. These professionals can evaluate how the frenulum is affecting feeding and recommend next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s Posterior Tongue Tie?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Posterior tongue-tie is the most common presentation of tongue tie, and there are three quick ways to tell if baby is tongue-tied. If any of the three below is present, ask a pediatrician for an ear, nose & throat referral so the ENT doctor can give baby a proper diagnosis and help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Give baby your pinky and let her suck on the tip to see what her latch looks like. If the back of her tongue goes up in a little hump, that is indicative of tongue tie. A proper latch will be tongue enveloping your pinky, where her tongue wraps around the pinky.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For breastfeeding moms, examine your nipple- if a red circular spot is present on your nipple, it indicates baby\u2019s tongue is rubbing back and forth in that one area which shows TT. There is enough milk coming out to keep baby feeding but perhaps not enough to satiate baby.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sweep your pinky under baby\u2019s tongue. If you feel a bump where the side-to-side sweep is interrupted, that can be indicative of tongue-tie. If the underside of her tongue is smooth she is not tongue-tied.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Do Preemies Have a Greater Chance of Tongue Tie?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes there is evidence that premature babies experience tongue tie at a greater rate than full term babies. However the assessment and interventions are no different and are just as effective. (Wiley<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is Tongue-Tie Is Treated? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tongue-tie is treated with a quick procedure called a frenotomy. During a frenotomy, a trained provider snips the tight tissue (the frenulum) under the tongue to improve movement. It usually takes only a few seconds, causes minimal discomfort and babies can feed immediately afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most mild tongue-ties don\u2019t need treatment though; they\u2019re managed with positioning support, lactation guidance and monitoring feeding and weight gain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cases where the frenulum is thicker or extends further back, a frenuloplasty may be done instead. This involves a slightly longer procedure and a few stitches to allow for proper healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After either procedure, gentle stretching exercises are sometimes recommended to prevent the tissue from reattaching. This usually means gently sliding a clean finger under the tongue and lifting it toward the roof of the mouth, until you see the diamond-shaped healing area. Many babies feed and latch more easily once the tongue has full range of motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tongue-tie is one of those things in babies that we may not find unless we really look. But once it is corrected baby will nurse and bottle-feed much more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you suspect tongue tie is affecting your baby’s feeding, overnight monitoring of feeding patterns, diaper output, and weight gain can help you build the picture before your pediatrician visit. Let Mommy Sleep’s registered nurses and certified newborn care specialists <\/a>do exactly that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more tips and evidence based info like this, visit Your First Week Home with Baby: Ultimate Q&A<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n