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New born & InfantNewborn CareMonth 2 Infant
Tongue-Tie in Babies: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Tongue-Tie in Babies: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Learn more about the symptoms and treatments for a tongue-tied baby. These insights will educate and empower you to help your child better. 
 

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Dr Veena H

At a Glance

Understanding Tongue-Tie

A condition where the baby’s tongue movement is limited due to a tight or short frenulum.

Common Symptoms

Include signs like difficulty with latching, smacking sounds during feeding, and more. 

Feeding Challenges

Latching issues make breastfeeding a painful experience.

Treatment Options

Finding ideal treatment options, non-invasive and surgical, depending on the severity of the case. 

Long-Term Effects

Understanding the importance of early diagnosis to reduce complications further.

In this article

  • Introduction to Tongue-Tie
  • What is Tongue-Tie?
  • Symptoms of Tongue-Tie
  • Other Physical Signs to Look For
  • Treating Tongue-Tie
  • Post-Surgery Care
  • Long-Term Effects of Untreated Tongue-Tie
  • Conclusion

Introduction to Tongue-Tie

Ever since Manisha started breastfeeding her son, she has noticed some problems. She chalked it up to initial latching issues for a while, but when it started getting too painful, she talked to a friend.

What is Tongue-Tie?

Manisha: Dr. Desai, I have been having trouble breastfeeding my baby. It is painful and difficult. My friend told me she had a similar issue and her baby was tongue-tied. What is that?

Dr. Desai: Manisha, it’s possible that your baby has tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia. It is a condition where the frenulum, a tissue under the tongue, is shorter or tighter than normal. This condition affects tongue movement, making it difficult for babies to latch despite trying different positions for breastfeeding. 

Manisha: Oh. So, what are the symptoms I should look out for?

Symptoms of Tongue-Tie

Manisha: Oh. So what are the symptoms I need to look out for?

Dr. Desai: The most common signs of tongue tie in babies include:

  1. Difficulty latching: Babies may struggle to maintain a proper latch.
  2. Poor weight gain: If the baby is not feeding properly, they might not gain weight as expected.
  3. Irritable: A poor latch can cause babies to frequently slip off the breast, leading to inadequate feeding and increased irritability.
  4. Painful experience: If the baby’s latch is shallow, it can cause nipple pain during breastfeeding.
  5. Smacking or clicking sounds while feeding: This indicates that the baby cannot correctly latch with their mouth.

Manisha: Yes. I have noticed some of these signs. Like I do experience nipple pain during breastfeeding and hear a smacking sound.

Other Physical Signs to Look For

Dr. Desai: That pain and sound can be linked to tongue-tie. When your baby cannot move their tongue properly, they cannot latch on. That is the cause of your discomfort.

Manisha: Are there any other physical signs I can look for when checking my baby?

Dr. Desai: Definitely. A few signs you can watch for include:

  1. Restricted tongue movement: Try lifting your baby’s tongue. They might have a tongue tie if it doesn’t move freely or touches the roof of their mouth.
  2. Heart-shaped tongue tip: The tip of the tongue might appear heart-shaped or have a small dent.
  3. Difficulty sticking out the tongue: Babies with tongue ties have trouble sticking their tongue out."
  4. Mouth breathing and/or snoring: Disrupts sleep quality, leads to mouth breathing and impacts overall health.

Having said that, diagnosis is usually done through a physical exam. I will check the baby’s mouth and tongue movement.

Treating Tongue-Tie

Manisha: So, can we treat my baby’s tongue-tie problem? I am ready to try anything.

Dr. Desai: Do not worry, Manisha. The treatment depends on how severe the tongue-tie is and its symptoms. In mild cases, no treatment is needed. But if it affects feeding or speech, a simple procedure called frenotomy can help by releasing the tight tissue under the tongue.

Here's what we usually do:

  • Monitor: We might monitor the situation for mild cases to see if it improves as your baby grows.
  • Breastfeeding support: I recommend working with a lactation consultant to improve your breastfeeding technique.
  • Tongue-tie-release surgery (frenotomy): This quick procedure can be performed for more severe cases to cut the frenulum and release the tongue’s movement. It will cause minimal discomfort to the baby.

Post-Surgery Care

Manisha: If surgery is needed, is any special care required afterwards?

Dr. Desai: Yes. After the surgery, we recommend gentle exercises for a few weeks to prevent the frenulum from healing too tightly again. You will also want to monitor your baby’s feeding habits and any signs of discomfort. I will give you specific instructions on how to do the stretches.

Long-Term Effects of Untreated Tongue-Tie

Manisha: What happens if my baby’s tongue-tie isn’t treated? Could it affect her in the long run?

Dr. Desai: Unfortunately, yes. Untreated tongue-tie can lead to long-term issues such as:

  • Continued feeding difficulties: If not addressed, it could cause persistent problems with feeding or weight gain.
  • Speech problems: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds as they grow.
  • Dental problems: Limited tongue movement can affect facial growth, jaw alignment and positioning of teeth.

Conclusion

Manisha: I’m hopeful you will help me find the best possible treatment for my baby.

Dr. Desai: Absolutely. I always advise my patients to address tongue-tie early on. If we need to perform a frenotomy, the earlier, the better. It can help your baby enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding.

Manisha: Thank you, Dr. Desai. I feel so much more confident after speaking to you. I want my baby to be okay.

Dr. Desai: You’re welcome, Manisha! We shall work together to improve your baby’s feeding. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.

FAQs

Can tongue tie go away on its own? 

No, tongue ties cannot go away on their own and will most likely remain the same. If they persist during a child's growth and development, they may develop speech issues or growth and developmental problems. 

Does exercise help with tongue-tie? 

Exercise, such as gently massaging your baby’s lower gum or encouraging them to move their tongue from side to side, can help with tongue mobility and stretching. However, while these exercises may improve movement, they do not cure tongue ties. Depending on the severity, a quick and safe procedure like frenotomy may be necessary for complete resolution.

Will tongue-tie affect my baby’s speech? 

Yes, tongue ties will make it difficult for your child to pronounce sounds like "d," "l," "t," or "th," but they do not affect their overall language development. However, it is advisable to consult with a pediatric dentist and a lactation specialist to understand your child’s condition. 

At what age can tongue-tie be treated? 

You can treat your baby’s tongue tie as young as 2 weeks. Since the entire procedure is very simple and takes a few minutes, it can be done at a later age as well. It is advisable to treat tongue tie early because it helps with proper latching, allowing your baby to breastfeed comfortably. 

Can tongue-tie affect my baby’s sleep? 

Yes, tongue-tie can affect your baby’s sleep. The restricted tongue movement may lead to breathing difficulties, such as sleep apnea. This can result in frequent nighttime awakenings, causing your baby to become restless and irritable. Addressing tongue-tie can help improve both breathing and sleep quality.