Tongue tie?

[plasticspaceman]

Breastfeeding has been dreadful with my almost 5mo... latch problems, biting, fissures, supply problems, refusing the breast, etc... it's been a looooooong few months.

Someone suggested to me that she might have a tongue tie. She seems to have decent tongue movement and extension, but I took a photo of her tongue this morning, and she does have a very pronounced lingual frenulum. Any thoughts?

[HeatherB]

Welcome to MDC! That *definitely* looks tied to me. Her tongue isn't elevating well, either. You may want to start with your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. That's not a posterior tie, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone to clip it. Your breastfeeding experience should VASTLY improve once it is!

Keep us posted!

[homemademom]

Ditto HeatherB! That's a very obvious tongue tie and shouldn't be too hard to treat. She should be able to reach her tongue to the roof of her mouth while her mouth is open. If not, she doesn't have optimal movement for nursing. Don't let anyone tell you that she needs surgery with general anesthesia by an ENT. That's not true, but a lot of peds think it is. Contact and LC in your area, they'll probably know. I bet things will get MUCH easier once she's clipped. She sure is a cutie, btw!

Originally Posted by HeatherB 

Welcome to MDC! That *definitely* looks tied to me. Her tongue isn't elevating well, either. You may want to start with your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. That's not a posterior tie, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone to clip it. Your breastfeeding experience should VASTLY improve once it is!

Keep us posted!

[plasticspaceman]

Thank you, ladies. I will ask her ped about it, or maybe take her to an ENT. I would love to resolve our breastfeeding problems. I wonder if her reflux is actually related to this, too.

[HeatherB]

Yes, reflux could be caused by swallowing excess air due to the poor latch from the tongue tie. My sister's newborn twins are tongue tied, too, and her pedi referred her to an ENT at their 2 week check. You might even be able to call your pedi and ask for a referral without having to get an appt.

[AlyssaH]

that tie looks like what my 3 week old has. I know he swallows more air. but i haven't had any other problems yet. not sure if we are going to get it clipped. i do know that it will make it more difficult for her to form words, as well.
 

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman 

Breastfeeding has been dreadful with my almost 5mo... latch problems, biting, fissures, supply problems, refusing the breast, etc... it's been a looooooong few months.

Someone suggested to me that she might have a tongue tie. She seems to have decent tongue movement and extension, but I took a photo of her tongue this morning, and she does have a very pronounced lingual frenulum. Any thoughts?