This article is a very good one with pictures. If your baby has a tongue tie they are not all problematic. The problem is multifaceted so seek the help of a lactation consultant to gain advice.
This article is a very good one with pictures. If your baby has a tongue tie they are not all problematic. The problem is multifaceted so seek the help of a lactation consultant to gain advice.
After a tongue tied baby has their tongue and or lip tie clipped or repaired with a laser there is most probably a period of rehabilitation. These exercises need to be done 2-4 times daily to help infant relearn how to use their tongue and coordinate suck, swallow and breath. Click here for a detailed description of the exercises to help rehabilitate your baby to successful breastfeeding.
This is a very thorough video explaining how to do the exercises that are required after a baby has a tongue and lip tie repair. Click here
The definition of a tongue tie is a tight hold on the tongue from the frenulum or string of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. There are anterior or close to the end of the tongue and posterior tongue ties which are more towards the middle and the base of the tongue.
The medical term is called ankyloglossia. The severity of a tongue tie is multifaceted depending on where on the tongue it attaches and how stretchable and thick the frenulum is. The mother’s nipples and breast can help or make a tongue tied baby have more difficulty breastfeeding depending on the shape of the nipple and the density of her breast.
The mother and baby need to be evaluated together to determine if there is a problem or not. Many times the baby ends up being like the little engine that could and they tire out trying to transfer enough milk from their mothers. Help can be found in positioning, a nipple shield or a frenotomy procedure.