Baby Refusing To Feed After Tongue Tie Snip
What is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition where the frenulum that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is too tight, short or thick. This can cause difficulty in moving the tongue and can affect feeding, speech and oral hygiene.
What is Tongue Tie Snip?
Tongue tie snip, also known as frenotomy, is a minor surgical procedure to release the frenulum. This procedure is done to improve feeding, speech and oral hygiene. It is a quick and simple procedure that can be done in a clinic or hospital with little or no anesthesia.
Why Do Babies Refuse To Feed After Tongue Tie Snip?
After tongue tie snip, babies may refuse to feed due to several reasons:
- Pain: The procedure may cause pain and discomfort in the baby's mouth, making it difficult for them to feed.
- Change in Feeding Habits: The baby may have developed a habit of compensating for their tongue tie while feeding, and after the procedure, they may need time to adjust to their new tongue movement.
- Distress: The procedure may cause distress in the baby, making them reluctant to feed.
- Swelling: The area where the frenulum was snipped may become swollen, making it difficult for the baby to feed.
How to Help Your Baby Feed After Tongue Tie Snip?
Here are some tips to help your baby feed after tongue tie snip:
- Pain Relief: Give your baby a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as prescribed by your doctor.
- Positioning: Hold your baby in a comfortable feeding position, such as the cradle hold or football hold.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeed your baby frequently and for shorter durations to avoid overwhelming them.
- Bottle Feeding: Use a slow-flow nipple and hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle to allow the milk to flow slowly and prevent choking.
- Burping: Burp your baby frequently during and after feeding to release any trapped air.
- Patience: Be patient and give your baby time to adjust to their new tongue movement and feeding habits.
When to Call Your Doctor?
If your baby refuses to feed for more than 24 hours after tongue tie snip or shows signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, or decreased urine output, call your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Tongue tie snip is a minor surgical procedure that can improve feeding, speech and oral hygiene in babies. However, babies may refuse to feed after the procedure due to pain, change in feeding habits, distress or swelling. To help your baby feed after tongue tie snip, you can provide pain relief, use comfortable feeding positions, breastfeed frequently, use a slow-flow nipple, burp frequently and be patient. If your baby shows signs of dehydration or refuses to feed for more than 24 hours, call your doctor immediately.