“Tongue tie in infants” is a condition where a shorter-than-usual band of tissue, known as the lingual frenulum, restricts tongue movements. While it may not result in any major issues, this condition can limit the tongue’s range of motion and impact feeding and speech development. Understanding what a tongue tie is and how it affects infants can help parents make informed decisions about treatment.
When their mouth is open, children with tongue-tie syndrome are unable to touch the top of their upper teeth with their tongue or extend it past their lower lip. When they extend their tongue, it appears heart-shaped or notch-shaped. A baby’s tongue might be knotted if you can’t get a finger beneath it, as they don’t usually stick out their tongues.
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How Common is Tongue Tie in Infants?
Mouth ties are frequent. People’s definitions of this ailment vary, therefore it’s difficult to pinpoint its actual prevalence. Roughly 8% of infants younger than one year old may have mild tongue tie.
Is Tongue Tie in Infants a Serious Issue?
It’s crucial to remember that tongue-ties are not always an issue. Many infants, kids, and adults have tongue-ties that don’t give them any problems at all.
There are two primary ways in which tongue-ties can lead to issues:
- They may make it difficult for some babies to latch on to the mother’s nipple, which can lead to nursing issues. Both the mother’s nipples and the baby’s have pain when feeding due to this. Not every baby with tongue tie experiences it; a good number of them are able to breastfeed. When a breastfed baby is gaining weight well, gassiness or fussiness is not the result of tongue-ties. Bottle-feeding does not provide any difficulties for infants with tongue-ties.
- They may result in speech issues.Some kids with tongue-ties could have trouble saying some sounds, like t, d, z, s, th, n, and l. Speech delay is not caused by tongue-ties.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Tongue Tie in Infants?
See your doctor if you believe that your infant’s poor latching is the result of a tongue knot. A baby may not latch onto the breast well for a multitude of reasons. In order to gain a better understanding of the problem, your doctor should carefully record all past events and examine your infant.
In order to receive assistance with breastfeeding, you should also see a lactation consultant. This is because there are numerous reasons why babies struggle to latch on, and with the correct care and assistance, many kids with tongue tie can nurse effectively.
If you believe that your child’s difficulties pronouncing words could be related to a tongue knot, consult your physician. It just takes some time for many kids to pick up specific sound pronunciation. Getting evaluated by a speech therapist is also a smart move before assuming that the issue is a tongue knot.
How to Treat Tongue Tie in Infants?
When necessary, a frenotomy—a surgical incision—can be used by a physician to relieve a tongue tie. A frenotomy can be performed with a laser or by just cutting the frenulum.
Still, there’s no need to take any action regarding a tongue tie that isn’t producing issues. Even though a frenotomy is a relatively simple operation, problems like bleeding, infection, or trouble feeding can occasionally happen. For this reason, doing it merely to avoid issues later on is never a wise idea. Only in situations where the tongue tie is obviously causing problems should the operation be considered.
It’s also crucial to understand that, particularly when it comes to nursing, cutting a tongue tie isn’t always the solution. Research indicates that not all moms or newborns will clearly benefit from it. For this reason, consulting with a breastfeeding specialist is essential before choosing a frenotomy.
If a newborn with tongue-tie is not gaining weight and is not latching effectively despite significant help from a breastfeeding expert, parents or caregivers should consider a frenotomy. If it is carried out, it ought to be done quickly and by a professional with the necessary training.
Important Information for Parents About Tongue Tie Surgery in Infants
Many medical professionals are willing to suggest frenotomies even though the evidence for their benefits is hazy. If someone advises your child to have one, ask questions.
- Verify the precise reasoning behind the recommendation.
- Find out whether there are any other choices, such as waiting.
- Seek advice from another medical professional or speak with other members of your child’s care team.