There is nothing more satisfying than breastfeeding a newborn baby. But sometimes it is not as easy as you think. Do your nipples hurt when you breastfeed? Does your baby not suckle properly and find it difficult to latch on to your breast? Does your baby not gain weight after drinking milk? If so, the reason for this could be a small piece of skin under your baby's tongue. We call this 'tongue-tie'. Don't worry, we will talk about this in detail.
What is Ankyloglossia?
Simply put, this is when the small membrane that connects the underside of the baby's tongue to the bottom of the mouth becomes shorter and thicker. In medical terms, this membrane is called the lingual frenulum . When this becomes shorter, it becomes difficult for the baby to move their tongue freely and lift it up.
Just think, when breastfeeding, the baby has to use his tongue to suck the milk while holding the breast in his mouth. When the tongue is stuck, this process cannot be done properly. That is why problems arise such as sore nipples for the mother and the baby not being able to suck the milk properly.
But remember, not all babies with this membrane under the tongue will develop these problems. Therefore, not everyone with it will need treatment.
So what is this treatment called Frenotomy?
Frenotomy (also called Frenectomy, but both are the same thing) is a very simple and quick treatment for tongue tie. In this, the doctor cuts the shortened membrane (frenulum) with a small pair of scissors and releases it. It's as simple as cutting your fingernails. After this, the baby can move their tongue freely.
Doctors usually recommend that this is best done within the first month of your baby's birth. Your pediatrician and a lactation consultant will decide whether or not to do this after a thorough examination of you and your baby.
What happens before this treatment?
A doctor doesn't do this all at once. First, they examine the baby thoroughly. Because there may be other reasons why the baby is having difficulty breastfeeding.
- Does the baby have any disorders affecting their nervous system?
- Is there any other problem with the anatomy of the baby's head or mouth?
These things are checked first, because if there is such a problem, just doing a frenotomy won't help.
Then, a lactation consultant will help you. Perhaps changing your breastfeeding position and improving your latch may help resolve the problem. If you still have problems after doing all of this, your doctor will explain the frenotomy procedure to you, its benefits and risks, and will take your consent before deciding to do it.
How Frenotomy is performed and what you need to know
It's normal to feel a little scared when you hear about this treatment. But it's actually very simple. Let's see what happens in this.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Doctor | This is usually done by someone trained for this purpose, such as a pediatrician or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician. |
| Method | Often, special scissors are used. This is the gold standard. Sometimes laser technology is also used. |
| Anesthesia | Newborn babies do not need anesthesia for this. Sometimes, something like a sugar solution (oral sucrose) is given to the baby to make it feel less uncomfortable. |
| Time spent | If you do it with scissors, it takes a very short time, about a minute . |
| After treatment | Doctors recommend that you breastfeed your baby as soon as the treatment is over. This will help soothe the baby and, if there is any bleeding, it can be stopped. |
Rumor and Truth: If you don't do this, will the baby not be able to talk?
This is a question that many parents ask. "Oh, doctor, if I don't do this, will my baby stutter when I talk to him in the future? Will his words become unclear?"
The truth is, no research has proven that there is a link between tongue-tie and future speech disorders. That's why we don't do frenotomy on babies to prevent future speech problems. It doesn't work. Speech therapy is the treatment for speech problems in older children, not this surgery.
What are the benefits and very rare risks?
There are two main advantages:
- The baby will be able to suck breast milk more efficiently .
- The pain and discomfort you feel while breastfeeding will be reduced .
Some mothers notice this change immediately after treatment, while others may see gradual improvement over a week or two.
The risks are very low, but it's good to be aware of them. The following are some of the very rare things that can happen:
- Slight bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Damage to the salivary glands (saliva ducts) in the mouth
These are very rare. The doctor will explain this to you as well.
Do you want to see the doctor again?
Yes. After the treatment, the doctor will give you a date to come back. At that follow-up,
- Checks for any complications.
- They ask how breastfeeding is going now and if there are still any difficulties.
- Further advice will be provided if necessary.
Some people say that you should massage the wound after treatment, but there is currently no evidence that it helps with healing. So just follow what your doctor says.
If you have pain while breastfeeding, if you think your baby is having difficulty latching on, or if your baby is bleeding from their mouth after treatment, or if they show signs of infection, call your doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Frenotomy is a very simple, quick, and safe treatment for breastfeeding difficulties caused by a baby's tongue-tie.
- This is not necessary for every baby with a tongue tie. Doctors only recommend this if absolutely necessary after trying other methods.
- There is no scientific evidence that this treatment can prevent future speech problems.
- Don't be afraid of the treatment. It's done without anesthesia for the baby and takes about a minute.
- If you have any concerns about breastfeeding, don't suffer alone, don't be afraid to talk to your pediatrician or doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න