Tongue tie in babies, typically found in newborns, is a condition in which the thin piece of tissue beneath the tongue is extremely thick, short, or tight to the extent that the tongue becomes limited in its ability to move around. The tongue tie of some infants may consist of slight issues, while others may face difficulty in suckling, eating, or soothing themselves during sucking.
It is definitely worth thinking about recognising signs of tongue tie in babies before you go to see your lip and tongue tie specialist in NYC.
Why Tongue-Tie Can Be Difficult to Spot Early
Parents might think some of the early challenges are normal breast and/or bottle feeding difficulties. However, they could be early signs of a tongue tie.
These are the ones who may be able to help diagnose tongue tie in babies:
●Pediatricians
●Lactation consultants
●Pediatric dentists
●Feeding specialists
Experienced professionals, such as those at Smiles + Grins, are able to assist with identifying tongue tie early.
12 Signs Your Baby May Have a Tongue-Tie
Difficulty Latching During Breastfeeding
If the tongue isn’t free to move around, the baby may have trouble being comfortably attached.
You may notice:
●Mild or moderate attempts to latch.
●Shallow sucking
●Usually slips off the breast often.
●They eat for long periods without gaining weight.
Clicking Sounds While Feeding
A clicking sound when the baby is breastfeeding or bottle feeding could mean that they are losing their suction in the bottle or breast.
Clicking that persists throughout the feed may be linked with:
●Poor latch stability
●Swallowed air
●Reduced milk transfer
●Feeding frustration
Frequent Feeding but Poor Milk Transfer
Babies with a tongue tie may feed all the time, but end up not getting enough milk.
Parents may experience:
●Constant feeding cycles
●Often short bolsters or breaks between bolsters
●Inadequate progress in eliminating hunger
●Prolonged nursing leads to fatigue in the mother.
Slow Weight Gain or Weight Loss
Although this is rare, if the infant has trouble transferring an adequate amount of milk, his weight may decrease.
Signs may be:
●Growth data is endangered if it falls below the expected growth curve.
●Fewer wet diapers
●Reduced feeding efficiency
Baby Seems Hungry Soon After Feeding
Sometimes babies will complete the feeding but not “feel full” because of the tongue-tie.
After eating, these are common signs that I’m hungry:
●Lip smacking
●Rooting reflex
●Hand sucking
Fussiness or Frustration During Nursing
Eventually, the baby and parent will be at ease and relaxed during feeding. Babies with tongue-tie will, however, have difficulty nursing and become upset during feeding because of this.
Some of the signs of frustration can be:
●Pulling away from the breast
●Crying during feeds
●Arching the back
Excessive Gas or Colic-Like Symptoms
If babies don’t latch well, they are prone to getting an excess amount of air in their mouths while feeding.
You may notice:
●Increased gassiness
●Crying after feedings
●Abdominal discomfort
●Difficulty settling down
Milk Dribbling From the Mouth While Feeding
If the milk squirts from the corners of the mouth while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, the sucking ability and coordination of the tongue are not good.
These signs of tongue tie in babies can be produced in the form of:
●Lips have a milky appearance
●Messy feeding sessions
●Difficulty maintaining suction
●Frequent repositioning during feeds
Nipple Pain or Damage for the Mother
If the nipple is improper, shallow, or not latched deeply enough, it can lead to considerable pain, cracking, bleeding, or compression.
Mothers may experience:
●Persistent nipple soreness
●Cracked or bleeding nipples.
●A feeding session in which the child is in pain during all or part of it.
●Anxiety about breastfeeding
Limited Tongue Movement or Heart-Shaped Tongue
Physical tongue tie symptoms can appear on the baby’s tongue upon first crying or when the baby sticks out the tongue.
Symptoms of domestic violence might include:
●A heart-shaped end of the tongue.
●Limited tongue extension
●The tongue has a hard time raising up and meeting the palate.
●Contraction of tissue under the tongue
Trouble Using a Pacifier or Bottle
60% of babies diagnosed with tongue tie do not need surgery after a consultation with a professional. However, sometimes babies will not suck well on bottles or pacifiers, either, and require cohesive tongue control.
Possible symptoms include:
●Problems with retaining a pacifier.
●Using a spoon or a straw rather than sucking.
●Excessive crying, particularly after bottle feeding.
Sleeping Difficulties Related to Feeding Exhaustion
In case the child has been feeding for some time now, becomes extremely tired, and keeps on waking up, it could be due to hunger.
Parents may notice:
●The feeding pattern is abnormal, and infants fall asleep during feeds.
●Frequent nighttime waking
●Short naps
●Persistent food interest post rest
Conclusion
Signs of tongue tie can be noted from feeding problems, discomfort, and development, which may not always be the case. Early detection will offer parents an opportunity to seek professional advice to solve their babies’ feeding problems.
Should you detect some of these tongue tie symptoms in your baby, it would be good for you to see your baby’s pediatric dentist, lactation counselor, or even pediatrician.
