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You may have heard the term “tongue tie” in relation to infant feeding, but what does it actually mean? Is it something you need to be concerned about with your baby?
A tongue tie is an unusually tight, short or thick flap of skin below the tongue, called a frenulum. A tied frenulum can restrict the movement of the tongue, which can then cause problems with feeding and sucking.
Tongue ties can be linked to a number of issues, including
- nipple pain
- inefficient milk removal
- low milk supply
- poor weight gain in babies
- a poor or painful latch
They are often accompanied by lip ties (when the frenulum attaches the upper lip to the gum and palate in a way that makes it difficult to breastfeed).
There are different degrees of severity in tongue ties, too. Some don’t make a difference at all when breastfeeding, while others can cause issues.
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