What is tongue tie? Does it affect feeding?
⚡ Short answer: With mild tongue tie, current approach is monitoring: if baby feeds well and gains weight, there's no rush to cut; if feeding struggles or weight is affected, frenotomy is considered.
Anonymous
1 aylık bebek annesi · Health
The doctor said my baby might have mild tongue tie. What is it, does it affect breastfeeding and later speech, should it be cut?
Maiyko AI ADVISOR
The real reply from the in-app AI advisor
Hearing about mild tongue tie can feel confusing at first, I understand your worry. Your baby is 6 months—a great age to assess the impact of tongue tie.
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia): The thin tissue under the tongue (frenulum) is shorter or stiffer than normal. About 4-11% of babies have it, and most cases are mild.
Impact on breastfeeding: If the tie is affecting feeding, baby might not latch well, which can cause sore nipples, poor milk intake, and slow weight gain. But if baby feeds well, gains weight, and you're not having pain, it probably isn't causing major problems.
Speech impact: Later, it might delay sounds like "l, r, t, d, n." But most children with mild cases catch up and don't have speech issues.
Should it be cut? Current pediatric thinking is to just monitor mild cases. Surgery (frenotomy) is considered if:
- Feeding problems exist and can't be fixed
- Weight gain is affected
- Speech delay develops later
The safest path: Monitor your baby's feeding and weight; ask your doctor for a pediatric surgeon or ENT evaluation if needed. There's no rush right now.
One tip: Decisions about tongue tie sometimes happen fast—don't rush; you can ask for a second opinion if needed.
⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.
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