Tongue tie in babies. What happens if you leave it?

Many babies now have been diagnosed with tongue tie. I researched the reason for that, and it seems that is mainly due to more awareness from mothers and midwives and breastfeeding consultants. Even about 8 years ago the awareness was much less in the UK, or at least I did not see many, but at the same time, many mothers even about 3 years ago were bottle fed instead, due to problems of the baby latching. So it might be due now to mothers wanted to breastfeed more and hence the tongue tie and lip tie being the main issue for poor latch and painful mastitis, it is addressed more.

You might know already that a tongue tie or a lip tie, including posterior tongue ties, do cause and increase colic, reflux and explosive poos, as well as mastitis and poor latch. You also might know that most mothers might be told that a posterior tongue ties is ok, especially if the baby is growing.

Now if the baby is growing could be due to the mother having a very good supply of milk, or the baby being bottle fed instead.

A frenotomy as it is officially called is fairly quick and easy (no laser as it can burn the skin a bit to much, do research). It take about two weeks for healing completely.

I was very surprised though that here in the UK, even the private clinics do not recommend the post-procedure exercises for the parents to do. These exercises are as essential as the frenotomy. The reason for that is to avoid for the regrowth of the tie and also because the brain does not recognise that the tongue can move in different directions now, including up and sideways. And it is done once a day for at least 6 weeks after the procedure. Very simple exercises and easy to do, and again very, very essential. Here is a wonderful u-tube video that shows the exercises very clearly and easy. The baby is already the star and the therapist is wonderful too. click here to see it. As well as having a craniosacral therapy, afterwards to release any possible jaw tightness and maybe the trauma for the mother rather that the baby.

Remember that the baby will feel the emotions and feelings like a sponge of the parents and cares. If you react to the procedures with calm and love, they will feel it.

What happens if the tongue tie, even the posterior tie is not addressed?

No new sounds learning as the tongue does not move all the way up or sideways, which it means the larynx and vocals muscles will be affected, with possible speech problem later in life.
Constant colic due to inhale of more air, even with the baby growing remember, will cause a bloated belly and more reflux.
A bloated belly will lead the baby to dislike having tummy time.
No tummy time, means no crawling
No crawling means no hand-eye coordination
No hand-eye coordination, no eating much of finger food and fussy eater.
No hand-eye coordination, strong connection with dyslexia.
No crawling, no stretching of the intestinal tract, with possible digestive problems later in life.
and the list could go on, with possible things that are not yet been researched on or had a connection with.

My suggestions for new parents or old parents, is that if you have been told that your baby or child now, has a tongue tie, and not to do anything because it will grow out of it, and as they are putting on weight because you have a really good supply of milk and you are still hearing the clicking noise when they are breastfeeding, or they are bottle fed and still have not yet made any sounds by the time of 4 to 5 months, then you might have a problem there. A little discomfort for the parents or the baby, it is worth a lifetime of bigger discomfort! Do research it and make your decision as soon as possible, private procedures are not too expensive now, and with the essential exercise and craniosacral therapy before and after, things will be great!