What's up with all the buzz about tongue ties? Read on to find out the basics of why this topic might matter to you and your baby.
Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a physical condition that limits the movement of the tongue. Between 1-12% of infants are born with this condition (Ghaheri, 2016). This can occur near the front of the tongue (anterior tongue tie), or the rear of the tongue (posterior tongue tie). Because the mechanisms of breastfeeding rely on a vacuum system within the baby’s mouth, not a “stripping” motion of the baby’s tongue as previously thought, having an infant with a tongue tie or lip tie could interfere with having a successful breastfeeding experience. While tongue tie is only one of many possible reasons for a challenge in breastfeeding, if any of the following problems present themselves during early breastfeeding, the possibility of a tongue tie should be assessed by a qualified professional:
According to Ricke et al, “The presence of tongue tie triples the risk of weaning in the first week of life.” (Ghaheri, 2016). For parents who have a goal of continuing breastfeeding, but are experiencing any of the challenges listed above, it is important to rule out an anatomical reason for why those breastfeeding challenges are occurring. In other words, many breastfeeding challenges are common and can occur for various reasons, and tongue/lip tie may be one of them. According to Dr. Ghaheri, all published studies on the subject find that after tongue ties have been identified and corrected surgically, breastfeeding outcomes improved for both the lactating person and the infant.
When looking for a provider to assess for possible tongue tie/lip tie and perform a revision if indicated, the following are considered best practices: 1. The provider will fully release the ties, including posterior tongue tie and lip tie if necessary (release of an anterior tongue tie without release of the posterior tie will rarely lead to improvement in breastfeeding). 2. The provider is supportive and knowledgeable of breastfeeding and works closely with IBCLCs. 3. The provider does not use general anesthesia on infants.
For lactating parents who have the goal of breastfeeding, it is important that they feel supported in their goal. As postpartum doulas, we help families find and explore all the resources available that may help them reach their goal. This is important not only for the baby’s health, but also because we know that women who wanted to breastfeed but couldn’t have two times greater the risk of developing postpartum depression compared to women who wanted to breastfeed and were able to do so successfully for as long as desired (Maternal Child Health Journal, Aug 2014, as presented by Ghaheri, 2016).
If you have questions or concerns about your baby, talk to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). And, if you have concerns with the information you've been given and are not feeling like your breastfeeding struggles have been resolved, find a second opinion. Our postpartum doulas and certified lactation counselor can help you find the answers and resources you are looking for. Our goal is to help YOU reach your goals regarding feeding your baby and preserving your own wellbeing and mental health.
Presentation. Tongue/Lip Tie and The Impact on Breastfeeding. Bobby Ghaheri, MD. February 26, 2016, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Corvallis, Oregon.