infants + babies
(newborn to age 2)
About the release
What is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie occurs when the thin membrane under the baby’s tongue (the lingual frenulum) restricts the movement of the tongue. You can find your own lingual frenulum by looking in the mirror, opening your mouth and stretching your tongue up. All babies are born with some extent of this tissue, and for approximately 3-15% of newborns, it is so tight that they cannot move their tongues freely. Babies affected by this will struggle with their ability to latch, which leads to poor feeding, nipple pain and trauma, decreased milk intake, and a decline in milk supply over time. Tongue tie, medically known as Ankyloglossia, is simply a congenital oral anomaly caused by an unusually thick, or unusually short, lingual frenulum.
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Symptoms in Baby
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Noisy suckling or clicking
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Popping on and off the breast
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Leaking on the sides of the mouth
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Poor weight gain
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Coughing or gagging
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Lip blisters
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Gas pain
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Noisy breathing/snoring sounds when sleeping
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Reflux or colic symptoms
Symptoms in Mom
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Flattened nipples after breastfeeding
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Nipple pain and damage
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Prolonged feedings
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Poor breast drainage
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Decreased milk production
Infant Tongue Tie Symptoms
Can Untreated Tongue-Tie Have Effects into Childhood + Adulthood?
Yes! Untreated tongue ties in infants can lead to difficulty with introduction of solid foods, altered jaw and dental development including a high palate and narrow facial structure, poor sleep patterns, mouth breathing. Poor tongue coordination and corresponding swallowing of air may persist as digestive upset through life. Significant ties may result in delayed speech development. Tooth decay related to heavy plaque and dry mouth is common in tongue-tied children.
Treating Tongue-Tied Babies
The infant frenectomy is an in-clinic procedure that can be completed during the same visit as our initial assessment, if recommended. Prior to treatment, a small volume (~2mL) of pumped breast milk or formula is fed to baby for soothing. For the procedure, baby is swaddled, and safety goggles are used to protect the eyes. During the procedure, Dr. Pada uses a pen-sized laser to release the tight membranes. The procedure takes 10-30 seconds, and baby may feed immediately following.
​​​​​BabyLase
BabyLase is a warm laser-assisted, non-surgical procedure that uses an initial sequence of strokes, in a specific wavelength, intensity, and pulse shape, to activate the orofacial regions. This wavelength of invisible light allows tight and damaged tissues to relax by increasing circulation and reducing the restrictions specifically related to the fascial layer of the body. This technique is similar to the concept of photobiomodulation with the additional secondary benefits of cranial nerve stimulation, primitive reflex integration and neurointegration. In other words, the tissue that has been damaged is allowed to repair while simultaneously being "re-introduced" to the brain as happy, healthy, fully functioning tissue.
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HOW WE USE THE NINNI CO. PACIFIER
Observe the transformation in this baby as they progress from strong, chompy, thrusting swallows that involve their cheeks and lips to a smoother, functional, and rhythmic tongue swallow. This change is cultivated by the combined use of the Ninni Co. pacifier as a training tool, along with Mom's humming, which engages the baby's nervous system. Our clinic staff also uses the 1064 Fotona laser as part of the care process before and after tethered oral tissues releases. We utilize the Ninni Co. pacifier to help establish a functional swallow, allowing the baby to develop new habits to replace old ones once their releases are completed.
Before + After Treatment
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BEFORE TREATMENT
Parents will complete a detailed history of baby's health and feeding. We favour diagnosis that involves other baby care providers such as physiotherapists, lactation consultants, chiropractors and physicians. For the best success of caring for the mom-baby dyad, treatment of tethered oral tissues in our care will occur only with commitment to pre-and post-release care with these providers.
AFTER TREATMENT
Breastfeeding or bottle feeding is encouraged immediately following this procedure. However, there is an expected healing period for your infant before the full benefits may be realized. Active wound management and daily stretching exercise will be shown and practiced following the release, so parents are ready for this at home. We recommend you video the stretches to review later. Body work and continued lactation support following the frenectomy procedure is essential for success. Following the procedure, we will see mom and baby again for a one-week and two-week post-treatment follow-up. These exercises should be performed for 6 months following treatment, as the benefits of babylase continue to build over that time.
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Babylase Pre and Post Stretches
To be done 3 times per day prior to and following release procedures
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