WHAT IS ANKYLOGLOSSIA (TONGUE TIE)?
Ankyloglossia, colloquially known as "tongue-tie", is an unusually shortened, thickened, or tightened lingual frenulum, a normal structure located between the tongue and the floor of the mouth; this anomaly restricts the tongue's normal movements. Babies with ankyloglossia will often have a low tongue posture, which means that the tongue rests on the floor of the mouth as opposed to the roof of the mouth. When this is the case, babies have an inability or diminished capacity to raise their tongues up to contact the nipple during breastfeeding, resulting in weak intra-oral pressure which may interfere with breastfeeding. A baby with ankyloglossia may have trouble lateralizing their tongue (moving it the the sides of their mouth), which is necessary for optimal hard palate and cranial development.
Cranial compression (or molding) or low vagus nerve function may mimic true ankyloglossia by inhibiting the upwards mobility of the tongue, in function but not structural capacity. In these cases, the best intervention is to address the functional movement with techniques such as TummyTime!™.
Cranial compression (or molding) or low vagus nerve function may mimic true ankyloglossia by inhibiting the upwards mobility of the tongue, in function but not structural capacity. In these cases, the best intervention is to address the functional movement with techniques such as TummyTime!™.
ANKYLOGLOSSIA MAY PRESENT AS:
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Additionally, toddlers or older children may exhibit:
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SOME OTHER RESTRICTIONS YOU MAY HEAR ABOUT:LIP TIES (MAXILLARY LABIAL FRENUM): THESE ARE ALL POSSIBILITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BUT NOT PROVEN IN PEER REVIEWED EVIDENCED BASED STUDIES:
Disclaimer: The above examples have been reported by parents and other professionals.
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WHAT ARE THE LONGTERM CONSEQUENCES OF ANKYLOGLOSSIA?
Also see Consequences of untreated ties
WHAT IS A FRENECTOMY?
A FRENECTOMY (also known as frenulectomy) is the removal of a frenulum, a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far. It can refer to frenula in several places on the human body. It is related to frenuloplasty, a surgical alteration in a frenulum.
A FRENOTOMY or frenulotomy is cutting without removal of tissue while laser obliterates the tissue.
Though as bodyworkers, we seek to address functional deficits resulting from ankyloglossia, in instances which require frenectomy, bodywork is not substitute.
A FRENOTOMY or frenulotomy is cutting without removal of tissue while laser obliterates the tissue.
Though as bodyworkers, we seek to address functional deficits resulting from ankyloglossia, in instances which require frenectomy, bodywork is not substitute.
WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO HAVE YOUR CHILD ASSESSED FOR TONGUE TIE?
The moment you have a concern. An assessment is painless and inexpensive. Knowledge is power, and the more you have, the more likely you will be able to help your child.
ANKYLOGLOSSIA ASSESSMENT TOOL (ATLFF):
Many bodyworkers and health professionals use The Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (ATLFF). This tool was developed by Alison Hazelbaker, PhD, IBCLC, CST, RCST, author of Tongue-Tie Morphogenesis, Impact, and Assessment and Treatment. The tool is used to assess tongue function, taking the subjectiveness out of the equation. The resulting score dictates the recommendation regarding frenotomy.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER RESISTANCE FROM YOUR CHILD'S PEDIATRICIAN:
Always remember, you are your child's advocate. It is your right to advocate; any pediatrician, primary care doctor, or health care practitioner who does not support that role, does not have your child's best interests in the forefront of their mind. Parents are gifted with biological intuition. Do not turn away from your instincts simply because you feel they must know better. Share your resources and have an open dialog about the next step. The best healthcare is the result of a trusting partnership. First, trust yourselves. -SER
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS:
Facebook support group with a preferred provider list for frenectomy: Tongue Tie Babies Support Group
LACTATION SUPPORT:
It is strongly advised that breastfed babies and toddlers see an IBCLC before pursuing treatment with any other provider. The IBCLC's role is to properly assess oral function, address all related breastfeeding issues, refer for diagnosis and treatment to bodyworkers and/or release providers, prepare the family for release, including oral exercises, communicate with other providers to optimize care and follow-up until breastfeeding is fully functional.
This is a public map demarcating International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) who address ankyloglossia, otherwise known as tongue tie or tethered oral tissues (TOTs).
DISCLAIMER: Please recognize that this map does not – and cannot – represent a specific endorsement or guarantee of excellence nor liability related to the outcome of care. Approach may vary from IBCLC to IBCLC, as does education in this specialty. Not all IBCLCs will have the same skill set in this area of specialty. Please direct questions as to skills and experience to the IBCLC directly. Readers are advised to make direct contact with IBCLCs on this list to ascertain the best match. Each IBCLC is assumed to carry their own liability insurance. Ankyloglossia Bodyworkers does NOT assume any liability, and by using this website, you consent to those terms and release this organization of any responsibility thereof.
This is a public map demarcating International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) who address ankyloglossia, otherwise known as tongue tie or tethered oral tissues (TOTs).
DISCLAIMER: Please recognize that this map does not – and cannot – represent a specific endorsement or guarantee of excellence nor liability related to the outcome of care. Approach may vary from IBCLC to IBCLC, as does education in this specialty. Not all IBCLCs will have the same skill set in this area of specialty. Please direct questions as to skills and experience to the IBCLC directly. Readers are advised to make direct contact with IBCLCs on this list to ascertain the best match. Each IBCLC is assumed to carry their own liability insurance. Ankyloglossia Bodyworkers does NOT assume any liability, and by using this website, you consent to those terms and release this organization of any responsibility thereof.
If you are an IBCLC who would like to add yourself to this map, log into your google account and click HERE
INSTRUCTIONS: To add yourself to the list, please click edit, plug in your address and press enter, click "add to map", then edit. Add your name, your business name, business address if applicable or area you cover, a phone number, website and a brief description of your specialty and/or training.
This listing is only open to IBCLCs.
INSTRUCTIONS: To add yourself to the list, please click edit, plug in your address and press enter, click "add to map", then edit. Add your name, your business name, business address if applicable or area you cover, a phone number, website and a brief description of your specialty and/or training.
This listing is only open to IBCLCs.
POST-FRENECTOMY CARE:
- Bodywork within 48 hours BEFORE frenectomy
- Pain relief - Tylenol or Homeopathy
- Gentle stretches/massages
- Bodywork within 48 hours AFTER frenectomy
- After-care exercises with Melissa Cole
- Follow-up with an experienced IBCLC if breastfeeding
THE IMPORTANCE OF TUMMY TIME IN PRE AND POST-FRENECTOMY CARE AND DEVELOPMENT:
Many tongue tied babies are challenged in tummy time because of several reasons: they have tension and functional deficits which prevent them from being comfortable in tummy time, and many of these babies struggle with regulation, which is to say, they may not feel safe in tummy time. Typically, parents give up because they sense their babies hate tummy time. However, tummy time plays a vital role in development as well as neck, throat, and tongue habilitation pre and post-frenectomy. Tummy time is the position which offers maximum range of motion for the tongue. It helps to untuck the tongue and chin, extending the neck and lengthening shortened tissues which affect tongue function. If your baby is having troubles in tummy time, find a TummyTime! Professional near you.
The TummyTime! Method with Michelle Emanuel
Download a TummyTime! tutorial:
| tummytime_™_method.pdf |