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WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S | Family Maternity Center | Pregnancy Resource Center | Pregnancy Library | Baby Feeding | Tongue-tied infants can have trouble with breastfeeding
Tongue-tied infants can have trouble with breastfeeding
"Tongue-tied" doesn't just refer to someone who's having trouble getting words out or speaking properly. Medically, tongue-tie (technically called ankyloglossia) is an inherited problem in which the lingual frenulum, the piece of tissue attached to the underside of the tongue, is tight or short.
Babies with severe tongue-tie may not be able to breastfeed properly. This can lead to nipple pain for moms, inadequate milk supply, and can slow weight gain or cause a problem called "failure to thrive" in the baby. This means your baby can't get the nutrition he needs to develop and grow the way he should. However, it's rare for tongue-tie to interfere with normal eating or speech.
How do you know if your baby has tongue-tie?
Stick out your tongue when you look at your baby. Most babies will imitate you. If your baby can't extend his tongue or the tongue looks heart-shaped on the tip and he has trouble nursing, it's time to see the doctor.
If, on the other hand, your baby can stick out his tongue and blow a raspberry at you, there most likely is not a problem.
A simple fix
There is a procedure performed on newborns called a frenotomy that is simple and fairly painless. It involves snipping the frenulum. An ear-nose-throat specialist can perform it in the office rather than in a hospital setting. If your baby is a little older, around three months, when the procedure is done, it may take awhile for him to realize that he can extend his tongue further. Be patient: breastfeeding should improve.
Date last reviewed: October 2002.
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