Tongue-Tie

Tongue-Tie

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What is a tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia)?

A common condition where the tissue that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the baby’s mouth is too short or tight
The baby may have trouble moving its tongue
Babies are born with this condition

Causes

Signs of a tongue-tie

Child can’t stick their tongue out
Baby has trouble moving its tongue
Tissue between the tongue and the bottom of the mouth is very short
Tissue between the tongue and the bottom of the mouth is thicker than usual
Tissue between the tongue and the bottom of the mouth connects to the tongue close to the tip

Effect on infant feeding

Not all babies with a tongue-tie have trouble feeding
A few babies who have trouble moving their tongue may have trouble feeding
Some babies with a tongue-tie may have trouble:
- Latching
- Sucking and swallowing
When a baby is having trouble feeding due to a tongue-tie, the feeding parent may experience nipple pain and damage

Treatment

Treatment is often unneeded for a tongue-tie. Support from a breastfeeding expert may be helpful
- Breastfeeding experts should:
  - Provide education
  - Help with latching and positioning
    - Suggest a more laid back position for feeding as gravity helps move the tongue down and forward
  - Reassure parent
Specialized doctors can cut the tissue between the tongue and the bottom of the mouth. This is called a frenotomy
- This should only be suggested for babies who can move their tongue very little and who are having major feeding problems

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