Baby's breastfeeding problems are often a consequence of the shortened tongue ribbon

Shortening of the tongue ribbon causes difficulty in breastfeeding
Problems with breastfeeding are by no means uncommon, with many mothers first looking for the mistake. However, for example, a shortened tongue ligament in infancy can lead to breastfeeding problems, reports the Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ). Because the tongue band is too short, the little ones are hampered in sucking and swallowing, explain the experts. However, the problem can be solved with a small cut on the tongue ribbon. At the pediatrician, parents can find out about the procedure.

The professional association of paediatricians reports that a significantly shortened tongue band causes trouble while breastfeeding, because the babies have to move the tongue towards the lip to suck. With a strongly shortened tongue ribbon this does not succeed, so that instead palate and lips are moved while sucking. On the one hand, this is exhausting for the child and on the other hand, increased pain in breastfeeding for the mothers can be detected. By a small intervention, which can be carried out usually without anesthesia, the shortening can be remedied usually relatively uncomplicatedly.

Problems with breastfeeding often go back to a shortened vocal cord. (Image: taramara78 / fotolia.com)

Speech disorders due to a shortening of the tongue ligament?
According to the BVKJ, up to one in ten newborns suffers from a shortening of the ankyloglossia, although some forms can only be identified with special instruments or ultrasound examinations. Strong pronounced shortenings of the tongue ribbon show, for example, when sticking out the tongue. The tongue is notched at the front in such a case and thus slightly heart-shaped. If breastfeeding takes an extremely long time, the little ones have difficulty staying close to the chest, or if there is pain when breastfeeding, these are also possible indications of ankyloglossia. Also, the affected children often can hardly stretch their tongue out of the mouth. The BVKJ recommends correcting the shortening of the tongue band as early as possible. Thus, the children are spared the development of speech disorders. Difficulties in the formation of the sounds D, T, L, N, S are often found as a result of a shortened tongue ribbon. (Fp)