Tongue-Tie
Tongue-tie in the Newborn: When is Intervention Needed?
The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has released new evidence-based guidance to help your pediatrician care for mothers and infants with breastfeeding problems. The first thing to know is that there are many different reasons for feeding problems (including breast pain with nursing) in the newborn which need to be sorted out by the pediatrician. The second thing is that not all tongue ties are problematic. A functional assessment of breastfeeding can be done with the pediatrician in conjunction with a lactation consultant. If there is truly a problem with latching and active nursing, a frenotomy (surgical release of the tongue tie) may be needed.
When surgery is recommended, this is what you should consider. The procedure is safe and poor outcomes are rare. No studies support the use of laser over scissor clipping in infants younger than 6 months. There is no support for labial (lip) or buccal (cheek) frenula release. These are normal oral structures, and intervention to release these "ties" is not supported by evidence. Postoperative “stretching” exercises to prevent reattachment are not recommended. Post-surgical follow up of the infant with the pediatrician should occur to ensure symptoms have improved.
Article derived from AAP News, volume 45, no. 8, August 2024.
