A RARE CASE : TONGUE TIE

Tongue tie is when a baby is born with a piece of skin under the tongue (called the frenulum) that is too short or too tight.

Normally, this skin is flexible and allows the tongue to move freely. But in tongue tie, the tongue is held down, making it hard for the baby to move it properly.

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How It Affects Babies

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• Feeding problems: The baby may struggle to latch well during breastfeeding, which can cause pain for the mother and poor weight gain for the baby.

• Difficulty sticking tongue out: The baby might not be able to push their tongue past their lips.

• Speech problems later: Some children may have trouble pronouncing certain sounds if it isn’t treated.

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Signs Parents May Notice

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• Baby clicks or makes noises while sucking.
• Baby feeds for very long but doesn’t get enough milk.
• Sore nipples for breastfeeding mothers.
• Tongue looks “heart-shaped” when baby tries to stick it out.

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Treatment

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Tongue tie can be corrected with a simple minor procedure (called a frenotomy) where a doctor snips the tight skin under the tongue. It’s quick, often doesn’t need stitches, and most babies breastfeed better almost immediately.

Tongue tie is not life-threatening, but if it causes feeding or speech issues, it’s worth checking with a doctor.

All images from here..