When a baby has a tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), the small strip of skin connecting their tongue to the floor of their mouth is just a little shorter or tighter than usual. Because it restricts how well they can move their tongue, it changes the mechanics of how they feed. It is a physical hurdle, not a reflection of your ability to mother or nurse your baby.

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Some babies who have tongue-tie do not seem to be bothered by it. In others, it can restrict the tongue's movement, making it harder to breastfeed.

Tongue-tie is sometimes diagnosed shortly after delivery during your stay at the hospital but it's not always easy to spot. It may not be obvious until your baby has problems feeding.

 

Discovering that your baby has a tongue-tie can feel incredibly overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with the sleeplessness and vulnerability of those early weeks. If feeding has felt like a heartbreaking struggle lately, please take a deep breath and know this: you are not doing anything wrong, and you are not alone.  

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​Because tongue-tie isn't always easy to spot right away at the hospital, it often only comes to light when feeding challenges start showing up. If you are experiencing any of the following, it makes total sense why you are feeling stressed:

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• Feeding Struggles: Your baby might have a really hard time securely attaching to the breast, slipping off frequently, or making a distinct "clicking" noise as they try to hold on.

• Constant Exhaustion: Because they can't get milk efficiently, they might need to feed constantly, leaving them unsettled in between—and leaving you with no time to rest.

• Physical Pain: You might be dealing with incredibly sore, cracked nipples and severe pain throughout the entire feed. When a baby's latch isn't right, it takes a heavy physical toll on you.

• Anxiety Around Growth: Seeing slow weight gain or weight loss in your little one is deeply worrying. This inefficient feeding can also cause your milk supply to drop, adding another layer of anxiety.

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​​​Implications of Tongue-Tie

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*Difficulty attaching to the breast and staying attached.

*Frequent feeds unsettled in-between feeds.

*Weight loss with slow weight gain

*Clicking noise may be present during the feed.

*Sore, cracked nipples with associated pain throughout the whole breastfeed.

*Low milk supply

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Tongue-Tie Assessment and Procedure information

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