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Understanding Your Baby’s Tongue Function and Breastfeeding
When feeding is difficult, it is natural to wonder what your baby’s tongue is doing. Maybe they struggle to stay latched, click during feeds, seem to swallow air, or leave you with sore nipples. You might also have noticed that feeding feels easier in one position than another.
Your baby’s tongue has a demanding job. It must move, feel, respond to milk flow and coordinate with the jaw and throat. Its function is shaped by how it developed before birth, as well as the comfort and movement your baby has now. Understanding those connections can help you recognise what deserves a closer look.
Your Baby Has a Tongue Tie but You’re Not Ready for a Release. What Can You Do in the Meantime?
If you have been told your baby has a tongue tie, anterior restriction or a deeper submucosal restriction, you may be trying to make sense of a difficult decision.
Perhaps feeding has felt hard from the beginning. Your baby may click, leak milk, lose their latch, pull off crying, gulp, cough, swallow air, feed for long periods, become stiff through their body or seem uncomfortable after feeds. You may have sore nipples, damaged nipples, low supply, oversupply or concerns about whether your baby is transferring milk efficiently.