TONGUE TIE

A tongue tie is a membrane that is too tight under the tongue called a frenulum, this tight membrane can restrict tongue movement, and anchor the tongue down to the floor of the mouth, this can lead to breastfeeding difficulties as well as bottle-feeding issues such as bloating, discomfort, colic, reflux, leaking during feeds at corners of the mouth.

Tongue tie can affect as many as 10% of babies born, maybe more.

          SYMPTOMS

         (Baby)  Difficulty latching

         Small or narrow latch
         Constant feeds

         Fussing/ Colic
         Clicking sound during feeds, breast and bottle
         Irritated /windiness
         Seems unsatisfied after feed
         Gumming or chomping on the nipple / or bottle

         Leaking milk from mouth during feeds
         Gasping, coughing when milk comes
         Slow weight gain (but not always)

         When breastfeeding:  Nipple damage
         Painful feeds
         Blanched or ‘lipstick’ shape
         Blocked ducts
         Mastitis, Recurring candida

ASSESSMENT

An assessment is done by evaluating the following:
Assessing how the baby latches and feeds (breastfeeds or bottle feeds): narrow latch, clicking, dribbling, suck-swallow-breath. Examining inside the baby’s mouth, which may identify many problems such as oral thrush, lip tie etc. Examining the frenulum under the tongue and its effect on tongue mobility and tongue function.
Evaluating the tongues movement, lift, restriction, cupping and extension.
We also weigh the baby and calculate the baby’s present rate on growth percentile.

PROCEDURE

If there is clear evidence that there is a tongue tie causing difficulty, we will offer to release it.  We will explain the procedure, and if you would like to go ahead with the tongue tie release, we will ask you to sign a consent form.

First, the baby is swaddled, then the tight membrane under the tongue, known as the frenulum, is snipped. This is called a tongue tie release, or frenotomy. This minimally invasive procedure takes seconds, and there may be just a few drops of blood, which usually stops as soon as the baby is comforted, or by compression with a sterile gauze. 

Often, there is an immediate improvement with breastfeeding, latch, suck, and relief in nipple pain and bottle fed babies often feed more easily, without tiring so quickly. In other cases, improvements can be more gradual, from 3-4 days to a few weeks later.

RISKS

The risks associated with this minor surgical procedure are rare but as with any surgical procedure, risks exist. A small amount of bleeding is expected, however heavy bleeding is rare (approx 1 in 3000 – 5000) In which case a transfer to hospital may be required.

Risk of injury to surrounding structures such as nerves, vessels, tissue or glands is also very rare. Lastly, risks of a localised infection are also very rare: 1 in 10,000

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

We encourage suck exercises and gentle tongue lifting  to encourage optimum tongue function and reduce the risk of reattachment. This is done in a very gentle and kind way, and should not upset the baby at all, if the baby is upset you should stop and sooth him or her. Bottle-fed babies will be shown up-right paced feeding for babies comfort.  You will receive an individual plan regarding feeding, latch and follow up care.  

FOLLOW UP & REVIEW

Deirdre will follow up the day after the procedure with a telephone consultation to answer questions and give any necessary tips. She will review again with a follow up consultation one week post-procedure, to assess the healing, avoid reattachment, review weight gain and improve feeding / breastfeeding results.


The Tongue Tie Cork clinic is ideally located and easy to find just 4 minutes from CUMH at Victoria Cross. Free Parking outside the door, on the street and in the underground carpark opposite the clinic.

APPOINTMENTS

All appointments take place at Tongue Tie Cork, Millview Road, Victoria Cross, Cork City.  Appointments for babies 0-16 weeks can be made online by following this link  

BOOK ONLINE

Address:
Tongue Tie Cork
Cork 

Millview Road, Victoria Cross, Cork City

Contact Deirdre on 083 8669209