Certain anatomical issues can be associated with tongue sucking or
strong tongue tip elevation that can interfere with breastfeeding.  When
a baby has a very recessed mandible, the tongue does not fit in the
lower mouth, and most babies plaster it against the superior alveolar
ridge (upper gum ridge) in order to prevent it from falling back into
the airway.  It can take a few days of fingersucking immediately before
attempting to latch to the breast, finger vibration to the tonguetip, or
even fingerfeeding before some of these infants learn to depress the
tongue when they open their mouths.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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