Many parents become concerned when their newborn struggles with breastfeeding or seems unable to stick out their tongue properly. In some cases, the cause may be a condition known as tongue-tie, a common condition that is often misunderstood.
Tongue-tie occurs when the thin piece of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter, tighter or thicker than usual. This can limit the tongue’s movement and affect how a baby feeds and, in some cases, how a child speaks later in life.
One of the earliest signs of tongue-tie is difficulty with breastfeeding. A baby may have trouble latching onto the breast properly, feed for a long time without appearing satisfied or frequently lose their latch during feeding. Mothers may experience nipple pain or cracked nipples or feel that breastfeeding is unusually difficult despite their best efforts.
However, it is important to understand that not every baby with tongue-tie has feeding problems. Some babies feed well and gain weight normally despite having a visible tongue-tie. For this reason, the decision to treat tongue-tie should be based on symptoms and feeding difficulties not simply on its appearance.
Parents may also notice that a baby cannot stick their tongue out beyond the lips or that the tongue appears heart-shaped when extended. As children grow older, some may experience difficulty with certain speech sounds although many children with tongue-tie develop normal speech.
If tongue-tie is causing significant feeding problems, a simple procedure called a frenotomy may be recommended. This involves releasing the tight tissue under the tongue. In babies, the procedure is usually quick and safe, often taking only a few minutes. Many babies are able to breastfeed immediately afterwards.
Tongue-tie is usually manageable and most affected babies go on to feed, grow and develop normally.
