If you’re a new parent running on very little sleep, hearing your baby cry can be one of the most stressful parts of your day. When that crying is paired with trouble latching during breastfeeding, or if you notice your little one seems extra gassy or fussy after feedings, it’s easy to lump it all under one frustrating word: colic.
But here in Worcester, MA, our team at Children’s Dental Specialties often works with families who have been struggling for weeks, only to discover the root cause wasn’t colic at all. It was a tongue-tie or a lip-tie.
What Exactly is a Tongue-Tie?
Medically known as ankyloglossia, a tongue-tie happens when the small piece of skin connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (called the lingual frenulum) is too short, tight, or thick. This restriction limits the tongue’s range of motion.
For a baby, this isn’t just a minor inconvenience. A healthy tongue needs to lift, extend, and move side-to-side to effectively feed. When it can’t move freely, it can lead to a host of challenges for both baby and parent.
Signs That Go Beyond a Picky Eater
While colic is often a catch-all term for unexplained crying, a tongue-tie presents with very specific physical signs. Here’s what we encourage local parents to watch for:
In Your Baby:
- Difficulty Latching: They may slip on and off the breast or bottle, or chew the nipple instead of sucking effectively.
- Poor Weight Gain: If they aren’t transferring milk efficiently, their growth may slow down.
- Fussiness at the Breast: They might seem frustrated, pull away often, or fall asleep quickly without being full.
- A “Clicking” Sound: You might hear a clicking noise while they nurse, which can also mean they are taking in excess air, leading to gas and discomfort that looks a lot like colic.
- A Heart-Shaped Tongue: If you look closely, the tip of their tongue might look slightly indented or heart-shaped when they cry or try to stick it out.
For the Nursing Parent:
- Painful Nipples: A deep, pinching pain during feeding is a major red flag.
- Compressed Nipples: After a feeding, your nipples might look flattened or lipstick-shaped.
- Low Milk Supply/Frequent Mastitis: Poor drainage of the breast due to a bad latch can lead to supply issues and infections.
The Good News: We Can Help Right Here at Home
If this sounds familiar, please know you don’t have to travel far for help. You also don’t have to wait months for a difficult procedure. At Children’s Dental Specialties, we specialize in treating tongue and lip ties in infants using the very latest in laser technology.
We use a gentle laser frenectomy. This procedure is quick, precise, and minimally invasive. One of the biggest benefits of laser treatment is the recovery time.
Unlike with older methods, most babies can breastfeed or bottle-feed almost immediately after the procedure is finished. That means you and your baby don’t have to wait long before things start to improve. Many parents are amazed at how quickly they notice a difference.
The procedure itself is also very fast. It typically takes only a few minutes, and because it is minimally invasive your baby won’t need general anesthesia. The whole visit is designed to be as calm and comfortable as possible, for both you and your little one.
Bringing Peace of Mind to Your Family
We’ve been a part of the Worcester community since 1968, and we’ve helped countless families through this exact situation. Our goal is to help your baby feed comfortably and effectively, so everyone in the house can be a little happier and a little more rested.
If you’re worried that your baby’s feeding struggles might be more than just “colic,” we’re here to listen. Give us a call at (508) 625-5534 or request an appointment online. We can schedule a consultation to take a look, answer your questions, and help you get back to the joy of feeding your little one.