Amidst the bliss of welcoming a new baby, parents encounter various hurdles, and one of the most common challenges is breastfeeding. For some, breastfeeding is not as smooth as expected due to a tongue tie.
Tongue tie occurs when the lingual frenulum, the tissue under the baby’s tongue, is shorter or tighter than usual. It restricts the tongue’s movement, preventing the child from properly latching onto the mother’s breast.
Read: What to Expect in Tongue Tie Revision Treatment in Babies?
The severity of tongue tie ranges from mild cases that cause minimal feeding challenges to more pronounced tongue movement restrictions that necessitate medical intervention.
Early identification and treatment of tongue ties is critical, impacting the child’s growth and speech development.
Read: What to Expect After Tongue Tie Release?
5 Techniques for Feeding Your Baby with Tongue Tie
At Tongue Tie Phoenix, we are privileged to have a team of professional lactation consultants who help parents learn how to feed their babies correctly.
1- Perfecting the Latch
A proper latch ensures the optimal transfer of milk to the infant. It’s the cornerstone of successful breastfeeding. The first step is positioning your baby correctly. The head should be aligned with your body and facing your breast.
Support the baby’s neck and shoulders with one hand and gently guide your breast towards their mouth. Their mouth should be open before you draw them closer to your breast.
2- Paced Bottle Feeding
Employ the paced feeding technique if you choose to bottle-feed. Hold the bottle horizontally to allow the baby to control the milk flow and prevent choking due to the fast stream of milk.
This technique mirrors the normal milk flow from the breast to the mouth.
3- Breast Compression
Breast compression ensures that the baby gets enough milk in every feeding session.
To do this, gently compress your breast when the baby’s sucking rhythm slows. The additional milk flow will help keep your baby engaged and interested during feeding.
4- Embrace Frequent Feedings
As mentioned earlier, babies with tongue ties have challenges extracting milk effectively. This problem can result in poor weight gain. You can address this by opting for more frequent feedings.
Concisely, feeding your baby more frequently will ensure they are well nourished and stimulate milk production.
5- Comfort and Burping
Due to the latching problem, the baby may ingest more air while feeding, resulting in gas and discomfort.
Gently burp them during and after feeding to alleviate any discomfort.
6- Seek Expert Support
Consulting a lactation specialist or a pediatrician experienced in tongue tie can be immensely beneficial.
They can assess your baby’s condition and offer personalized guidance, making the feeding process smoother for you and your bundle of joy.
Read: What You Need to Know About Lip Tie Revision?
Final Words
At first, feeding a baby with a tongue tie is challenging, but it will become easier once you get the hang of it.
The above tips and knowledge will help you jump these hurdles and create a nurturing environment for your baby.
It’s important to remember that each baby is unique, and what’s effective for one may not be for another. Stay open to trying different techniques, and don’t hesitate to contact our lactation consultant for professional support when needed.
Read:
5 Non-Surgical Tongue Tie (Frenectomy) Exercises For Babies
Tongue Tie 101: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment for Infants
Exploring Causes of Lip and Tongue Tie in Babies
