Supporting Your Baby’s Health and Development from Day One
For new parents, ensuring your baby is feeding well and thriving is a top priority. When challenges like difficulty latching, poor weight gain, or painful nursing arise, it can be a source of significant stress. One common underlying cause for these issues is ankyloglossia, more widely known as tongue-tie. This condition, present at birth, restricts the tongue’s range of motion and can interfere with feeding, and later, with speech and oral development. At the Center for Orofacial Myology, we provide families in Meridian and across the Treasure Valley with comprehensive evaluations and gentle, effective solutions like infant tongue-tie release to foster optimal health and well-being.
What is an Infant Tongue-Tie?
A tongue-tie occurs when the lingual frenulum—the small band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth—is unusually short, thick, or tight. This tether restricts the tongue’s ability to move freely. For a baby to breastfeed effectively, a wide range of tongue motion is necessary to latch deeply onto the breast, create suction, and draw out milk. A restricted tongue can make this process inefficient and uncomfortable for both mother and baby. While some tongue-ties are easily visible, others, known as posterior tongue-ties, are located further back and can be harder to detect without a proper evaluation from a specialist.
Identifying a potential tongue-tie is the first step toward finding a solution. An expert evaluation can determine if the frenulum is impacting your baby’s oral function. Our team offers specialized airway evaluations that provide a comprehensive look at your infant’s oral structures and breathing patterns.
Signs and Symptoms of a Tongue-Tie
While every baby is different, there are common signs that might indicate a tongue-tie is affecting feeding. Parents, especially mothers who are breastfeeding, are often the first to notice that something isn’t right.
For the Baby:
- Difficulty latching or maintaining a deep latch.
- Shallow latch, often causing the baby to slip off the breast.
- Clicking or smacking sounds during feeding.
- Poor weight gain or slow weight gain.
- Excessive gassiness, fussiness, or signs of reflux.
- Falling asleep frequently during feeds out of exhaustion.
- A heart-shaped or notched appearance at the tip of the tongue when extended.
For the Mother (Breastfeeding):
- Significant nipple pain, cracking, or bleeding.
- Nipples that look flattened or lipstick-shaped after nursing.
- Low milk supply due to inefficient milk removal.
- Recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis.
- Feelings of frustration or anxiety surrounding breastfeeding.
If these symptoms sound familiar, seeking professional guidance can provide clarity and relief. Our lactation support services are designed to help families navigate these challenges with compassionate, expert care.
Did you know?
The tongue is a powerful muscle that plays a crucial role in shaping the palate and jaw. Proper tongue posture—resting against the roof of the mouth—is essential for healthy facial growth, airway development, and even straight teeth later in life.
The Tongue-Tie Release Procedure (Frenotomy)
An infant tongue-tie release, or frenotomy, is a simple, quick, and minimally invasive procedure designed to free the tongue’s movement. At the Center for Orofacial Myology, we utilize a state-of-the-art laser for the procedure. This modern approach offers several benefits:
- Precision: The laser allows for a precise release of the restrictive tissue.
- Minimal Discomfort: The procedure is very quick and anesthesia is typically not required for infants.
- Reduced Bleeding: The laser cauterizes as it releases, resulting in minimal to no bleeding.
- Faster Healing: Recovery is generally quick, and babies can often feed immediately afterward, which helps soothe them and begin the healing process.
Our experienced team ensures the entire process is as gentle and stress-free as possible for both you and your baby. We prioritize a holistic approach, considering the whole body and often incorporating supportive therapies like craniosacral therapy to release tension and improve overall function.
Life After a Tongue-Tie Release: What to Expect
Following the procedure, many parents report an immediate improvement in latch and comfort. However, it’s important to remember that your baby needs time to learn how to use their newly freed tongue. The muscles have been compensating for the restriction, and it takes practice to develop new, more effective movement patterns.
Aftercare is a critical component of a successful release. This typically involves gentle stretches and exercises to ensure the frenulum doesn’t reattach and to encourage proper tongue movement. Our team will provide detailed instructions and support. We also often recommend follow-up care to ensure optimal results, which may include:
- Feeding Therapy: To help your baby master new feeding skills and overcome any oral aversions.
- Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: Exercises to retrain the oral muscles for correct function in swallowing, breathing, and resting posture.
- Physical Therapy: To address any associated body tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw that can result from a restrictive tongue-tie.
Your Partner in Orofacial Health in Meridian, ID
Located conveniently for families in Meridian, Boise, Eagle, and the surrounding Treasure Valley, the Center for Orofacial Myology is dedicated to providing integrated, expert care. We understand that issues like tongue-tie are not just isolated problems but can affect a child’s overall development. Our collaborative team of specialists works together to address the root cause of these challenges, offering a full spectrum of services under one roof. From your initial consultation to post-procedure support, we are here to guide your family toward better health and function.
Ready to Find Answers for Your Baby?
If you suspect your infant may have a tongue-tie or are struggling with feeding challenges, don’t wait. A professional evaluation can provide the answers and solutions you need. Schedule a consultation with our experienced team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the tongue-tie release procedure painful for my baby?
The procedure itself is extremely quick, often lasting less than a second. Because the frenulum has very few nerve endings, discomfort is minimal. Most babies are fussy more from being swaddled and held than from the procedure itself. We encourage feeding immediately after to provide comfort. Some babies may experience soreness for a day or two, which can be managed with comfort measures.
2. How soon will we see an improvement in feeding?
Many families notice an improvement in the first feed after the procedure, while for others, improvement is more gradual over one to two weeks. Your baby must relearn how to use their tongue effectively, which takes time and practice. Consistent follow-up with aftercare stretches and supportive therapies like lactation consulting or feeding therapy is key to achieving the best results.
3. Can a tongue-tie correct itself over time?
While some very mild frenulums may stretch over time, a significantly restrictive tongue-tie will not resolve on its own. Untreated tongue-ties can lead to ongoing issues, including difficulties with solid foods, speech articulation problems, and potential airway and dental development concerns.
4. What if we are bottle-feeding? Does a tongue-tie still need to be addressed?
Yes. While bottle-feeding can sometimes mask the challenges of a tongue-tie because the flow is faster, the underlying functional issue remains. Babies with a tongue-tie may still swallow excessive air, suffer from reflux, and struggle with pacing their feeds. Correcting the tie supports proper oral development, which is important for breathing, sleep, and future speech, regardless of the feeding method.