Coral Gables and Miami, FL
Mom, take it easy on yourself! Becoming a mother for the first, second, or even third time or more is not easy. Every baby is unique in his or her own way. If you are attempting to breastfeed your baby, even if you did this with your previous children successfully, and are having difficulty nursing in Miami, the experts at Miami Myofunctional Therapy Center have answers for you.
My baby won’t breastfeed, what’s going on?
If you are having difficulty breastfeeding your baby, then this blog is for you! Many new mothers overcome hurdles and challenges when breastfeeding, but one thing is for sure, a tongue-tie can make matters much worse. Thankfully, help is within reach, and it may be much easier than you think.
What is a tongue-tie?
A tongue-tie occurs when the frenum under the tongue is too thick or restrictive to the point that the tongue cannot move properly. This means the tongue may not be able to press against the roof of the mouth or be able to function and move like it is supposed to.
How does a tongue-tie affect my baby breastfeeding?
If the tongue is not able to move freely as it should, your baby may experience difficulty latching properly. This often results in one fussy baby and one tired and discouraged mom. Relax, mama! Look for these symptoms to see if a tongue-tie is present in your newborn.
- Colic
- Gassy, as a result of sucking in too much air
- Hungry even though you just fed baby
- Frequent feedings, within 2 hours of the last one
- Loud feedings
- Frequently falling off the breast (breaking the latch)
If your baby has a tongue-tie, you also may experience symptoms such as breast tenderness, sore nipples, or it is painful while nursing, or low or diminishing milk supply, then consider a consultation with us at Miami Myofunctional Therapy Center. We can evaluate your baby, and determine if a tongue-tie is present.
Should I supplement my baby’s feedings with formula?
Many times, when a tongue-tie is present the baby may not gain weight as expected or may even lose weight between doctor visits. When this occurs, many pediatricians may recommend supplementing your breastfeeding by adding formula to a bottle and giving it to your baby. While this may remedy your baby’s problem of gaining weight and ensure he or she becomes full at each feeding, it may mean an end to your breastfeeding journey. For some mothers, this may be difficult because it means they may miss out on a special bond with their baby, and the baby may not receive as many antibodies for their immune system. If this sounds like a familiar scenario to you, get your child checked for a tongue-tie. With simple treatment, you may be able to continue your breastfeeding journey by providing your child with nutritious breast milk.
How is a tongue-tie treated?
Treating a tongue-tie is simple, and literally takes only minutes. The procedure is called a frenectomy in which the restricted frenum is released using a state-of-the-art dental laser. Since the laser cauterizes the tissue as it works, it minimizes bleeding and discomfort.
Tongue-Tie Release in Miami
The expert dentists at Miami Myofunctional Therapy Center can diagnose and treat a tongue or lip tie in babies as young as only a few days old and up. Treatment is much easier than you might think and can provide immediate relief for your baby, as well as help get your breastfeeding journey back on track. For more information, please contact Miami Myofunctional Therapy Center by calling (305) 595-4616 to schedule a consultation.
Miami Myofunctional Therapy Center welcomes patients from Coral Gables and Miami, Florida.