Understanding Tongue-Tie and How Craniosacral Therapy Can Help

May 25

As a parent, you want the best for your child, including ensuring proper feeding and speech development. However, some children may face challenges due to tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia. In this blog post, we'll discuss tongue-tie, its impact on infants, and how craniosacral therapy can help.

What is a Tongue-Tie In Babies?

Tongue-tie is a condition in which the tongue's movement is limited by a short or tight lingual frenum, the band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This restriction can cause difficulty with feeding and speech development in your child.

Symptoms of Tongue-Tie:

If your baby is experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign of tongue-tie:

* Trouble with breast or bottle-feeding

* Difficulty latching

* Excessive gas after feeds

* Mom feeling excessive pain with breastfeeding

* Clicking sounds while feeding

* Blisters on infant's lips

* Irritability or colic

* Noisy breathing or snoring when sleeping

What Does a Baby with Tongue-Tie Look Like?

A baby with a tongue-tie may have a heart shape at the tip of their tongue or a flat, stingray-shaped tongue. The shape of the tongue can vary depending on the type of tongue-tie.

My Baby Has A Tongue-Tie What To Do Next?

If your baby has a tongue-tie, there are several options to help them feed more efficiently and improve their oral motor function. Here are some suggestions:

1. Consult with an occupational therapist, speech therapist, or lactation consultant specializing in feeding and oral motor function. They can help you and your baby develop strategies for efficient feeding and work on your child's oral motor skills.

2. Consult a pediatric dentist or pediatrician specializing in tongue-tie releases. They can assess your baby's tongue-tie and determine the best course of action for treatment.

3. Consider bodywork, such as Craniosacral Therapy, into your treatment plan. This gentle approach can help release tension in the mouth, face, jaw, neck, and diaphragm, significantly impacting feeding and latching. By improving the mobility of the tongue and surrounding tissues, Craniosacral Therapy can facilitate better oral motor function and overall feeding efficiency. Additionally, this therapy can help rebalance the nervous system, promoting relaxation and healing throughout the body. This, in turn, can allow all other systems to function optimally, improving your infant's overall health and well-being.

Remember, every baby is different, and working closely with your healthcare provider and other specialists is important to finding the best approach for your baby's unique needs.

Are you looking for Craniosacral Therapy in the Lafayette, Colorado, area? Book your appointment at Mapleton Craniosacral Therapy.