Signs & Symptoms
mothers
Tongue and lip ties in infants can often lead to breastfeeding difficulties for mothers as well. Here’s a list of symptoms that breastfeeding mothers might experience when their baby has tongue or lip ties:
- Severe pain or discomfort while nursing, especially during latch-on.
- Cracked, sore, or bleeding nipples.
- Feeling that the breast is not adequately emptied after feedings.
- Engorgement due to inefficient milk removal.
- Formation of blisters, blebs, or white spots on the nipples.
- Recurrent mastitis or plugged ducts due to ineffective milk removal.
- Continuous pain throughout the entire feeding session.
- Shooting or radiating pain into the breast.
- Inadequate milk production due to poor milk removal.
- Reduced letdown reflex caused by incomplete latch.
- Emotional stress related to breastfeeding difficulties.
- Feelings of frustration, helplessness, or guilt.
- Reluctance to breastfeed due to pain and discomfort.
- Shortened feeding sessions to minimize pain.
Increased susceptibility to nipple and breast yeast infections due to damaged skin.
- Feeling of being bitten or clamped down on during feeding.
- Slipping, clicking, or smacking sounds during feeding.
- Disproportionate milk production in response to incomplete milk removal.
- Frequent engorgement and leaking between feedings.
- Emotional response to discomfort that leads to not wanting to be touched.
- Negative impact on bonding and maternal-infant connection.
- Increased stress and exhaustion due to challenging breastfeeding experiences.
- Impact on maternal well-being and overall mood.
- Nipple shields used to reduce pain or improve latch.
- Supplemental nursing systems due to inadequate milk transfer.
infants
Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition in which the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter or thicker than usual, restricting the tongue’s range of motion. Here are some signs and symptoms of tongue ties in infancy:
- Inability to latch properly.
- Slipping off the nipple frequently.
- Clicking sound while feeding.
- Poor weight gain due to inefficient feeding.
- Feeding sessions taking longer than expected.
- Frequent feedings due to inadequate milk transfer.
- Sore, cracked, or bleeding nipples in breastfeeding mothers.
- Discomfort or pain for bottle-feeding caregivers.
- Baby appears frustrated or fussy during feedings.
- Crying and pulling away from the breast or bottle.
- Increased gas or colic-like symptoms.
- Frequent regurgitation or reflux after feeding.
- Trouble keeping a pacifier in the mouth.
- Frequent popping out of the pacifier.
- Reduced ability to stick out the tongue.
- Difficulty moving the tongue from side to side or up and down.
- Trouble moving food around in the mouth.
- Gagging or choking on textured foods.
- Difficulty cleaning the teeth and gums effectively.
- Increased risk of dental issues due to restricted tongue movement.
- Tongue tie can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea, leading to snoring and disrupted sleep.
It’s important for breastfeeding mothers experiencing these symptoms to seek support from a qualified lactation consultant, pediatrician, or healthcare provider. They can help assess the baby’s tongue and lip ties, provide guidance on improving latch and breastfeeding techniques, and discuss potential interventions if necessary, such as a frenectomy to release the ties. Addressing these issues early can greatly improve both the breastfeeding experience for the mother and the overall well-being of the baby.
