Tongue elevation is much more important than the ability to stick the
tongue out over the gumline for breastfeeding. If the tongue-tie is only
partial, the baby will be able to stick the tongue out, BUT it can be
difficult to maintain over the gum during sucking; the tongue may
retract when the baby opens the mouth wide (resulting in inability to
latch or shallow latch); and the tongue tip might be pulled down under
the tongue by the tongue tie.
Doctors have been trained to evaluate tongue-tie by looking at the
baby's ability to extend the tongue alone, and our research has shown
that this is insufficient and results in under-recognition of tongue tie.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC NYC
> I notice that more than a few babies cry without bringing their
> tongues to the roof of their mouths. Is this typically an indication
> of a potential tongue tie? Often on further checking these babies,
> they are able to extend their tongue over the gum line. Carolyn
> Schindewolf
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