Ever wondered why the baby is not breast feeding properly. It could be due to a tongue tie. Ankyloglossia is a common condition which usually gets unnoticed and it affects the efficiency of the breast milk baby gets.
Indications of a tongue tie include:
- When the tongue is extended, the tongue tip may look flat or squared instead of pointed.
- Tongue cannot be moved sideways.
- tongue tip may be notched or heart shaped.
- Tongue cannot protrude beyond baby’s lips.
- baby failing to gain weight.
- A clicking sound is often very common when the baby is feeding.
- A compression mark on the nipple after feeds.
- Nipple pain and damage.
- tongue cannot be moved sideways.
Solution is a tongue tie release done by a specialist. Very simple solution and can benefit both mother and baby.
May I add something please:
The listed signs and symptoms are for very severe tongue tie. Although believed to be quite a common condition, it is relatively uncommon in a severity that requires any treatment.
In the very severe form, it may interfere with breastfeeding, but it is my experience, and the common experience of others working in breastfeeding counseling area that minor tongue tie does not interfere with breastfeeding at all.
The list no 7 & 8 are often caused by poor attachment; because baby has not taken a good mouthful of the breast in his mouth. In the well attached position the nipple is well inside the mouth, too far inside to be compressed at all.
The list no 6 may be confused by common people with the normal sound that a baby may make while feeding, this may cause mothers to feel that their baby is not feeding well.
Poor positioning of the baby for feeding and inability of the baby to attach well IS the most common cause of breastfeeding failure. In most cases, with assistance these problems can be overcome by simple measures.
If any concern, have the baby seen by a paediatrician before going to the surgical specialist.
Thanks Niyaf.
Like Dr. Niyaf said.. intervention is not needed unless it is absolutely required. I have a question for you Dr. Niyaf.
Is it common that paediatricians perform the procedure? I have been told by another paediatrician that he performs the procedure quiet often just to facilitate the movement of the tongue of the babies who has even slight tongue ties or tightness.
Paediatricians don’t do surgeries unless they also have specialist surgical training. I am not aware of any Maldivian Paediatricians who either perform the procedure or are trained for such procedures. It has to be performed under some kind of anaesthesia, which for very little children has to be GA.
My opinion and the general consensus is that for minor tongue tie- the procedure is not indicated and should not be performed. If anyone is performing a surgical procedure for such a minor condition, where there is no clinical indication- that is unethical. It is putting the small child at risk of potential surgical and anaesthetic complications and pain- when the procedure is not even indicated!!!
Some foreign media report of quacks claiming to do surgical or other treatment just by touch, tricking the family into believing that a vital and essential treatment has been provided- and charging exorbitantly for the fake surgery.
yes. no need for it. Same as circumcision being a useless procedure being done on babies.
talk talk but nothing happens……but I guess you’ve lost your foreskin as well………something has happened! Hasn’t it?