Does my Baby have a Tongue-tie?
Have you been told your baby has a tongue-tie? And is he fussing and crying with feeds?
Whilst a complete and classical tongue tie will often need treating, there are varying degrees of membrane attachment under the tongue, sometimes referred to as 'partial tongue-tie', that may at first appear to be an impediment to breast feeding, when they do not in fact have to be.
A stable fit at the breast is generally able to overcome the barriers to good breastfeeding that many partial forms of tongue tie are traditionally associated with.
Research has shown that, contrary to previously held notions, the tongue does not strip the milk by rippling along the breast. Feeding occurs due to suction created by the jaw as it drops, rises and lowers again with each suck. The tongue does not need to extend past the lower gum to feed well. The tongue simply follows the up and down movement of the jaw. Achieving positional stability at the breast is central to supporting the creation of suction in the mouth when there is a partial tongue tie. This requires the right fit and hold to help bub draw more and more breast tissue up to fill his mouth by creating a vacuum with sucking. The Possums approach achieves this beautifully.
If your baby is diagnosed with tongue-tie you are invited to try the Possums principles before deciding on medical intervention. The associated complications of tongue-tie treatment, particularly with laser treatment and the risk of developing an oral aversion throughout toddlerhood, can be significant.
The latest research in relation to tongue-tie and cry/fuss problems can be found at ndcinstitute.com.au/resources