During breastfeeding, the baby must use a wide range of muscles in the jaw, face, and tongue to create the necessary vacuum to extract milk. This action exercises and strengthens the muscles involved in jaw development, particularly the masseter and temporalis muscles, which are essential for proper bite, jaw alignment, and facial muscels development, which are the foundations for proper speech development.
A Tongue Tied infant may struggle to create a proper latch, leading to inadequate stimulation of the muscles required for optimal jaw development.
Restricted Tongue Mobility: Effective breastfeeding requires the infant to extend the tongue over the lower gumline to create a strong seal. Tongue-tie can limit this mobility, reducing the ability to latch properly and compromising the stimulation needed for healthy jaw growth. Tongue-tie can cause problems with the articulation of sounds, particularly those that require the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth, such as “t,” “d,” “l,” and “n.”
Increased Nipple Pressure and Inefficient Milk Transfer: Due to difficulty in maintaining a deep latch, a tongue-tied baby may exert more pressure on the nipple, causing pain for the mother and reducing the effectiveness of feeding. This inefficiency can affect both the baby’s nutrition and the stimulation necessary for proper jaw growth.
Early Evaluation: If tongue-tie is suspected, it’s crucial to seek an evaluation. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent complications associated with tongue-tie and improve the breastfeeding experience for mother and baby.
