When we hear the term “tongue-tie”, most of us have a mental image of someone who is struggling to speak in public, but who is stammering nervously and is at a loss for words. In reality, tongue-tie is a medical condition that affects many people, and has special implications for the breastfed baby.
Tongue-tie is congenital (present at birth) and may be hereditary (often more that one family member has the condition). Studies estimate that tongue-tie is present in between 4-22 babies per 1,000 births, and for some reason it occurs more often in boys than in girls.
Because it’s a relatively common condition, every newborn examination should include checking for the presence of tongue or lip tie.
The medical term for the condition known as tongue-tie is “ankyloglossia”. It results when the frenulum (the band of tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is too short and tight, causing the movement of the tongue to be restricted.
Babies can also have tight frenulums on their upper lips. “Lip tie” refers to a condition where the upper lip is attached to the jaw tissue, which may prevent it from flaring out far enough to move normally and create the seal needed for effective breastfeeding.
