Latching Problems? A Tongue-Tie Could Be the Cause

It’s natural and instinctual they say, but many new mothers find that nursing can be much more complicated. As you try—again—to breastfeed your baby, they continue to have latching problems. What could be causing the difficulty? Have you considered the possibility of a tongue-tie?

A tongue-tie is a piece of tissue underneath the tongue that makes it difficult for the tongue to move with the necessary flexibility to latch on correctly. Keep reading to learn more about the tongue’s function in breastfeeding and what can be done to make this “natural” process easier for your baby.

How the Tongue Affects Breastfeeding

At first glance, your baby’s tongue may seem irrelevant to breastfeeding, but it actually plays an essential role. While nursing, the tongue is supposed to cup under the nipple, achieving a tight suction. This allows your baby to suck the milk from the breast. Bottle-fed babies can successfully drink because the bottle nipples release milk or formula without the same suction technique.

If your baby has a tongue-tie, the tongue cannot reach the nipple and create the suction necessary to extract milk from the breast, which means they are unable to latch properly and receive sufficient nourishment.

Signs of a Tongue-Tie in Babies

In addition to struggling to latch while breastfeeding, other symptoms can point to a tongue-tie issue, including sore nipples from your baby biting down. They may gain weight slowly or fail to thrive. You may also notice a thick, V-shaped connective tissue, called the frenulum, just below the tip of the tongue.

Treatment for a Tongue-Tie

Fortunately, a tongue-tie can easily be resolved. With modern laser technology, a trained dentist can sever the excess tissue gently. As a result, the tongue gains more flexibility and mobility, allowing your baby to use the proper technique and breastfeed efficiently.

Benefits of Laser Frenectomies

In addition to achieving the desired results of better nursing, a laser frenectomy only takes a few minutes to complete. Immediately afterward, nursing parents are encouraged to breastfeed the baby because the infant should almost instantly be able to latch as they are supposed to. Plus, breastfeeding is a great way to soothe your baby and can help with whatever minor pain relief they may be experiencing. However, you should know that this procedure involves very little pain and bleeding. In fact, the dentist may not need to use a local anesthetic at all!

In the end, you shouldn’t let a latching obstacle get in the way of breastfeeding if it’s something you’d like to do. Resolving a tongue-tie is a simple way to help you enjoy this experience and connect with your baby.

About the Author

Dr. Garcia-DeMartino has dedicated her career to helping babies and parents overcome lip and tongue-ties. She studied with the World Classical Laser Institute and is a member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia-DeMartino, you can contact her Phillipsburg office by calling 908-859-5260 or visiting the Contact Us page here.