Tongue Ties and Colic: How Treating One Could Improve the Other

You knew having a brand-new baby would be a challenge, but your little one keeps crying no matter what you do—feeding, changing their diaper, rocking—and nothing seems to help for long. Their colic is making you miserable, and you know in your gut that something must be wrong, but what?

Have you thought of the possibility that your baby with colic could have a tongue tie? This post explains how colic can be caused by a tongue or lip tie and how the problem is treated to keep everyone happier.

What Is Colic?

Colic occurs when a baby cries for long periods of time, about three hours or more, even after causes, such as hunger and fatigue have been eliminated. In colicky babies, these crying episodes can happen multiple times a week or even daily. As a result, colic can leave the baby cranky and the parents exhausted and frustrated.

Although excessive crying is common, you shouldn’t ignore it. Colic is a signal from your baby that something is off.

What Is a Tongue Tie?

In the womb, everyone has a piece of thick tissue beneath the tongue called a frenulum. Typically, the frenulum goes away on its own before birth, but between 4 and 10 percent of babies continue to have this tissue, which limits the tongue’s function.

If you would like to see whether your baby has a tongue tie, simply use a clean finger and swipe underneath their tongue from one side of the mouth to the other. If your finger is blocked in the middle, your baby may have one. You may also raise their tongue and look at this tissue to see if it is excessively thick, short, or restrictive.

How Can a Tongue Tie Result in Colic?

With hindered mobility and function, the tongue cannot create proper suction on a breast or a bottle. As a result, the baby doesn’t get enough milk and swallows air instead. Air bubbles cause pain and discomfort for tiny tummies, often leading to reflux and more crying.

Although not all babies with colic have a tongue tie, fussy babies with a tongue tie may improve after the tongue tie is resolved.

How Is a Tongue Tie Treated?

Getting rid of a tongue is actually quite simple when using the right technology and training. A soft tissue laser in the hands of a specialist cauterizes as it severs the tissue, keeping bleeding and discomfort to a minimum. Instantly following the procedure, the baby’s tongue should have far more flexibility and movement, allowing basically immediate improvement in nursing.

Ultimately, a colicky baby may have a tongue tie. In this case, it is worth taking care of the problem to give them better oral function and feedings. Plus, having a happier baby will make you happier too!

About the Author

Dr. Garcia-DeMartino has been treating lip and tongue ties for nearly 15 years. She studied with the International World Clinical Laser Institute and is a member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry as well as the Academy of Children’s Dentistry. Do you think your baby may have a tongue tie? You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia-DeMartino by reaching out to our of Phillipsburg office online or calling 908-859-5260.