Our babies are so precious and when you are having issues with feeding, it can be a difficult and stressful time. If you’re looking to have your baby’s tongue tie procedure, you will wish for a caring and experienced General Practitioner. We would be delighted to help you and your precious little one.
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which a thin piece of tissue under the baby’s tongue (the lingual frenulum) is abnormally short and may restrict the movement of the tongue, often leading to problems with breast-feeding. Tongue-tie occurs in about 3% of babies and is a condition that can run in families. It is also more common in boys.
Top Health Doctors Underwood have doctors that have done many tongue-tie release procedures through past surgical training. We have a private room in our treatment area where you can spend some time together with your baby, before and after the procedure to ensure they feel safe and calm. Our support nurses are understanding and experienced to assist you and your little one throughout this process.
We only do Tongue Tie Release Procedure, up to 4 months of age.
It may interfere with a baby’s ability to latch and suckle at the breast leading to:
Tongue-tie may also have an effect on oral hygiene (the tongue cleanses the teeth inside the mouth).
It may also affect speech development (although this remains controversial).
Breastfeeding is one of the first independent pleasurable activities that a new baby experience. It is widely recognised to be important both for the baby’s health and nourishment, and for bonding to take place between mother and baby.
A baby with a tongue-tie often cannot make the necessary movements that allow feeding to be satisfying for both mother and baby. Instead, the experience becomes a frustrating experience for the baby, and often leading to pain, a sense of guilt and failure for the mother.
To tell if your baby is tongue-tied, look at your baby and stick out your tongue. Even tiny babies will imitate you. If your baby is unable to extend the tongue fully, beyond the lips, your baby likely has tongue-tie.
In addition, you may find that with your baby, the tongue cannot be moved sideways.
The tongue tip may be notched or heart-shaped, and
When the tongue is extended, the tongue tip may look flat or square instead of appearing pointed.
There are usually breastfeeding problems such as:
Before performing this procedure, clinicians (including midwife, lactation consultants / nurses, paediatrician, and others) who work with breastfeeding mothers usually have assessed the baby, and recommended your baby to have a procedure called lingual frenotomy (or simply called tongue tie release).
This is usually in the setting of painful breastfeeding, with poor milk transfer associated with your baby’s tongue-tie. A tongue-tie release in this case, will likely improve your baby’s ability to breastfeed.
However, sometimes a tongue-tie causes no problems with breastfeeding, and this requires no action.
At Top Health Doctors, we conduct a thorough history and assessment of breastfeeding and baby’s tongue mobility to determine if release is required.
If the frenulum is thin and the baby is less than around four months of age, the tongue-tie release can be performed at Top Health Doctors without any anaesthesia.
Tongue-tie release is considered only after your baby has had Vitamin K, usually at birth (or at least 2 oral doses).
If baby who is older than 4 months of age or who has a tongue-tie that is thick, may need to be referred to have the procedure in a hospital setting.
It is preferable for the tongue-tie to be released before a feed. If your baby is due to have this procedure, please try not to feed your baby for at least one hour before your appointment.
The release of a tongue-tie involves our doctors placing a finger and thumb under the baby’s tongue to gain clear access to the frenulum. The frenulum is released with a small pair of sterile scissors.
A drop or two of blood at the release site is normal and is rarely a problem. Some babies may be unhappy at being held still and having fingers placed in their mouth. Occasionally a baby will startle when the release is performed but will settle quickly once comforted. Following the procedure, the mother will be encouraged to breastfeed straight away.
Possible complications of the procedure are bleeding (usually minimal) or infection (rare). There is usually no need for painkillers, with most babies settling very quickly with breastfeeding and cuddles.
Occasionally, during the healing process a small white patch may be seen under the tongue of some babies. This is normal and should resolve within two weeks of the release.
For some babies, a lip tie may be the reason that affects breast feeding.
In these cases, a division of lip tie will help with breast feeding.
Australian Breastfeeding Association
or call their 24 Helpline – 1800 686 26
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