Tongue tied

Following on from Ernie's feeding difficulties, the health visitor suspects our wee man might have a case of Ankylogloassia (tongue tied).

According to wikipedia "Ankyloglossia is a congenital oral anomaly which may decrease mobility of the tongue tip and is caused by an unusually short, thick lingual frenulum, a membrane connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Ankyloglossia varies in degree of severity from mild cases characterized by mucous membrane bands to complete ankyloglossia whereby the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth."

The NHS website goes on to say "It can sometimes affect your baby's feeding, making it hard for them to attach properly to their mother's breast."

Babies with severe tongue-tie will not be able to open their mouth wide enough to latch onto their mother's breast. They cannot get any milk, so they end up sliding off the breast and chomping on the nipple with their gums. The mother's nipples soon become sore and the baby fails to gain much weight. To breastfeed successfully, the baby needs to latch onto both breast tissue and nipple, and the baby's tongue covers the lower gum so the nipple is protected from damage.

The more we think about it, the more this makes sense (apparently affects 3-10% of newborn babies). Although his breast feeding has improved, he often seems frustrated that he's not feeding as he should. There's no doubt that Ernie's case is a mild one but we're hoping a quick visit to the paediatrician will see him proud.

Of course, we'll be there to hold his hand...