Infants & Mothers
A tight tongue or lip frenum can make it difficult for a baby to latch and feed effectively, sometimes leading to poor weight gain. When a proper seal can’t be formed, babies may take in excess air, contributing to gas, fussiness, reflux, spitting up, or clicking sounds during feeding. Mothers may also experience significant nipple pain, cracking, blanching, or recurrent infections, and some babies may struggle to hold a pacifier or maintain a consistent latch.
These challenges can contribute to feeding stress and, in some cases, make breastfeeding difficult to continue. Evaluation by a pediatric provider and a lactation consultant is often recommended to fully assess feeding function and support both the baby and the mother.
When a tongue or lip tie is addressed, many mothers report improvements such as a deeper latch, reduced discomfort, and more efficient feeding, which may also help improve digestion and weight gain over time.
Lip and tongue ties come in different varieties. The most important assessments are the mother’s and the baby’s symptoms.
Symptoms in Infants
Infants with lip or tongue ties may experience feeding difficulties or struggle with efficient milk transfer.
Common signs may include:
- Difficulty latching
- Clicking or gulping sounds while nursing
- Gumming or chewing during feeds
- Frequent unlatching and relatching
- Shallow latch
- Long or exhausting feeding sessions
- Falling asleep during feeds
Excessive drooling - Choking or coughing while feeding
- Reflux, gas, or colic-like symptoms
- Poor weight gain
- Difficulty holding a pacifier
- Heart-shaped tongue appearance
- Lip or nursing blisters
Signs a Mother May Notice While Breastfeeding
In many cases, breastfeeding mothers notice symptoms before anyone else. Difficulty with latch and milk transfer can lead to discomfort and feeding frustration for both mother and baby.
Common maternal symptoms may include:
- Painful nursing
- Cracked or bleeding nipples
- Blistered nipples
- Plugged ducts
- Frequent mastitis
- Incomplete breast emptying
- Decreased milk supply
- Very long feeding sessions
- Baby tiring quickly while feeding
- Increased stress or frustration during feeds
If you have concerns about your child’s oral function, feeding, speech, or breathing, our team is here to provide a comprehensive evaluation and guide you through the next steps with compassionate, individualized care.
Did You Know?
Proper tongue function plays an important role in early growth and development. During breastfeeding, infants use coordinated tongue and oral muscle movements that help:
- Strengthen oral muscles
- Support healthy palate development
- Encourage proper airway growth
- Improve oxygenation
- Support facial and jaw development
- Reduce risk factors associated with sleep-disordered breathing
Early oral function can have lasting effects on feeding, breathing, sleep, and facial development throughout childhood.