Does your baby's tongue look like it's receding? Let's talk about Glossoptosis!

As a parent, you probably feel a lot of things when you look at a newborn baby. Your heart is filled with joy when you see the baby's little hands, little legs, and that smile. But sometimes you might think, 'Oh, my baby's tongue is a little bit stuck in his mouth, isn't it?' Or you might feel like your baby is making a little noise when he breathes. It's very normal to feel a little scared and worried about whether this is normal or something to be afraid of. That's what we're going to talk about today and find answers to the questions you have in your mind.

Simply put, what is Glossoptosis?

Glossoptosis is not a disease. It is a symptom. To be precise, this is the name we give to a baby's tongue that is positioned further back, closer to the throat, rather than where it should normally be inside the mouth.

Imagine, inside our mouths, the tongue has room to move freely. But in this situation, the tongue has moved back a little, not where it belongs. The main problem that can occur in this case is that the tongue that has moved back like that can slightly block the baby's airway (trachea) . This can cause the baby to have difficulty breathing, drinking milk, and swallowing.

Why does this happen to babies? What are the main reasons?

As I said before, this is something that is associated with other health conditions. Let's see what they are. It will be easier for you to understand this information in a table.

What complications can this cause for the baby?

Tongue thrusting can cause several major problems. It is very important for parents to be aware of this.

Difficulty breathing

This is the most important and important thing to pay attention to. When the airway is blocked by a retracted tongue, the baby cannot breathe properly.

• The baby may make a snoring sound when breathing.
• Breathing can stop for a short time during sleep and then start again. We call this obstructive sleep apnea .
• The baby may feel tired because he is struggling to breathe.

Problems with breastfeeding and eating

Because the tongue is not positioned properly, it can be difficult for the baby to suckle or drink from a bottle. They cannot swallow properly. This prevents the baby from getting the nutrition they need. If this continues for a long time, the baby may fail to thrive. This means that the baby will not gain weight as expected for his age.

Speech problems

The tongue is a vital organ for pronouncing words when we speak. So, due to incorrect tongue position, some children may have speech and language problems as they get older.

How does the doctor treat this?

You may be feeling a little scared when you hear these questions. But I have good news for you. In most cases, Glossoptosis does not require any special treatment!

How is that? As the baby grows, the baby's lower jaw also grows. As the jaw grows, the space for the tongue inside the mouth also increases. Then the tongue automatically returns to its rightful place. For example, even in children with Pierre Robin syndrome, the lower jaw grows to normal size by the age of about 18 months, and this problem is resolved.

However, if breathing or breastfeeding difficulties are severe, doctors use several temporary solutions.

• For breathing problems: To make sure the baby gets enough oxygen, a small tube (breathing tube) may be placed in the nose or throat. Very rarely, in the most severe cases, a tube is connected to the windpipe itself through a small operation in the neck. This is called a tracheostomy .
• Difficulty in breastfeeding: To provide the baby with the necessary nutrition for growth, it may be necessary to provide milk through a tube inserted through the nose (tube feeding / enteral nutrition ).
• Surgery: Very rarely, surgery may be needed to shrink the tongue if it is large or to repair a cleft palate if there is a cleft palate.

Is there anything special to be careful of when taking care of a baby at home?

This is a very important thing. Remember this well.

Doctors generally tell everyone to put newborn babies to sleep on their backs because it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

However, this advice can be dangerous for a baby with glossoptosis. If the baby is put to sleep on their back, there is a high chance that the tongue will fall further back due to gravity, completely blocking the airway.

When is it best to see a doctor?

If your baby has this condition, keep an eye out for the following symptoms. If you notice any of these, see your doctor immediately.

• If the baby is having a hard time breathing or seems to be choking. (In this type of emergency, take him to the nearest hospital's ETU - Emergency Treatment Unit .)
• If you refuse to drink milk or have difficulty drinking milk.
• If food seems difficult to swallow .
• If there is a delay in speaking in a way that is appropriate for age.

Even if you have the slightest doubt about anything like this, it's best to ask a doctor to resolve it.

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