Tongue-tie and breastfeeding

Abstract

. Tongue-tie is a problem about which lactation consultants are concerned in breastfeeding. In a review of the literature, the criterions for diagnosing this condition varied, with an incidence rate ranging from 1.7-10.7%. Infants with tongue-tie are associated with breastfeeding difficulties, such as maternal breast pain, poor latching on, poor infant weight gain and early weaning. When an infant with tongue-tie is diagnosed, the clinician shouldbe use criteria of tongue-tie diagnosis, lingual function and breastfeeding difficulties, including maternal breast pain score, infant breastfeeding assessment tool or latch score in selecting the appropriate surgery. Frenotomy or frenulotomy is recommended for correction of tongue-tie. The outcome of surgery is effective and no severe complication is detected.