Infant Frenectomy
Ankyloglossia is a condition that some babies are born with in which the frenulum under their tongue is too short causing them to be tongue-tied. This can greatly impair the babies ability to nurse and if left untreated, can eventually lead to a failure to gain weight and poor nutrition. Once they are older, they may have difficulty speaking.
How does tongue-tie affect breastfeeding?
Tongue tied babies have trouble nursing because the limited tongue motion can prevent the baby from latching properly. When a baby nurses, the tongue is extended and curled on the sides into a U-shaped on the underside of the mothers breast. The nipple should be drawn deep into the baby's mouth near the back of the throat so as the nipple is not pinched against the roof of the baby’s mouth.
Not all tongue-tied babies have a hard time nursing. Preterm babies may also have difficulty latching even though they are not tongue-tied. Some babies who appear to have a significant tongue tie are able to breast-feed successfully while others who appear to have a mild degree of talent I have extreme difficulty nursing.
How do I know if my baby is tongue-tied?
There are a couple of symptoms to look for when determining if your baby is tongue-tied such as:
- Inability to latch onto the breast during feeding
- A heart shaped tongue that is especially evident when crying, the tip of the tongue will have a dent or divet
- Sucking in the cheeks while nursing
- Sliding off the breast during feeding
- Nipple pain during feeding, accompanied by bruising, scabbing, or cracking nipples
- Mastitis or low milk supply, due to infrequent or incomplete emptying of the breast
- Failure to gain weight
How is ankyloglossia treated in infants?
A labial frenectomy on a newborn is simple and can easily be performed in the hospital or by a trained pediatrician. The frenulum under the tongue is very thin and has few nerves so there is very little pain associated with a frenectomy. The baby is swaddled while the tongue is gently lifted and the frenulum is quickly snapped with sterile scissors. The tongue will be lifted again to make sure the frenulum has been completely clipped. This procedure does not require any anesthesia and the baby can breast-feed immediately after the procedure. It is possible for the frenulum to stretch and for breast-feeding to improve on its own with time and practice.
For babies who are having trouble nursing, a labial frenectomy may help. Tongue-tie is not the only reason a baby may have difficulty feeding but if your baby is not gaining weight or exhibits any of the signs mentioned above, visit your doctor to see if they are tongue-tied and if a labial frenectomy is the best treatment option.