#asktheexpert hii mam my baby is having toung tie,give me suggestions

Question

Accepted Answer

Tongue tie (also known as ankyloglossia) occurs when the band of tissue (the frenulum) under the tongue is shorter or tighter than usual, restricting the movement of the tongue. This can affect your baby's ability to breastfeed properly, as well as speech development and oral hygiene as they grow.

Possible Signs of Tongue Tie:

Difficulty latching during breastfeeding

Poor weight gain (if breastfeeding is not efficient)

Clicking sounds while breastfeeding

Trouble moving the tongue freely (e.g., sticking the tongue out or moving it side to side)

Difficulty with solid food when they start eating

Suggestions to Manage Tongue Tie:

1. Breastfeeding Support:

If your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding due to tongue tie, consider consulting a lactation consultant. They can help with proper positioning and latching techniques to make breastfeeding easier.

2. Monitor for Feeding Issues:

Ensure your baby is gaining weight properly. Difficulty with breastfeeding could lead to insufficient intake, so it's important to track weight gain. If your baby struggles with latching, you might need to express milk or consider supplementing with formula.

3. Medical Consultation:

Pediatrician or Pediatric ENT: A doctor can assess the severity of the tongue tie. Mild cases may not need treatment, but more severe cases might require intervention.

Frenotomy/Frenuloplasty: In some cases, a simple procedure called frenotomy (cutting the frenulum) or frenuloplasty (a more involved surgery) can be done to release the tongue tie. This can be done in infancy, and recovery is generally quick.

4. Speech Therapy:

If tongue tie is not treated early, it might affect speech development later on. Some children may need speech therapy to learn how to make sounds correctly, especially if they have trouble with certain letters.

When to Seek Treatment:

If breastfeeding is causing pain or your baby is unable to latch properly.

If your baby is not gaining weight well due to feeding difficulties.

If the tongue tie seems severe and affects the baby's ability to move the tongue.

In many cases, treatment is simple and very effective. If you're concerned about your baby's tongue tie, it’s best to discuss it with your pediatrician, who can guide you on the best course of action.