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Navigating bottle feeding with tongue tie: Tips and guidance for parents

Writer's picture: Felicity AveryFelicity Avery

For parents of infants with tongue tie, feeding challenges can be both frustrating and concerning. Tongue tie, a condition where the tissue under the baby’s tongue is too tight, can affect breastfeeding, but it can also impact bottle feeding.


Osteopath Felicity assessing a baby's tongue function

In this blog post, I’ll explore the realities of bottle feeding for infants with tongue tie and provide tips and guidance for parents facing this situation.


Understanding tongue tie

Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the frenulum – the fold of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth – is shorter or tighter than usual. This can restrict the movement of the tongue, making it difficult for your baby to latch onto the breast or bottle effectively. While breastfeeding challenges are commonly associated with tongue tie, bottle feeding can also pose difficulties for infants with this condition.


Challenges of bottle feeding with tongue tie

Bottle feeding a baby with tongue tie can present unique challenges for both you and your little one. You may experience the following:

 

  • Inefficient feeding: The restricted tongue movement can affect your baby’s ability to create a proper seal around the bottle teat, leading to inefficient feeding and potential frustration for your baby.

  • Air swallowing and gas: Difficulty latching onto the bottle teat may result in your baby swallowing more air during feeding, leading to increased gas and discomfort.

  • Prolonged feeding times: Infants with tongue tie may take longer to feed due to ineffective sucking and swallowing, which can be exhausting for both you and your baby.

  • Increased risk of reflux: The inability to create a proper seal around the bottle teat may contribute to your baby ingesting more air, increasing the likelihood of reflux or spitting up.


Tips for bottle feeding success

Despite the challenges, there are several strategies that can help you navigate bottle feeding with a tongue-tied baby:

 

  • Choose the right bottle and teat: Opt for slow flow teats to prevent overwhelming your baby with milk and minimise the risk of choking. Experiment with different teat shapes and materials to find the one that works best for your baby. I have my favourites that I share with clients in my clinic.

  • Supportive feeding positioning: Hold your baby in a comfortable, semi-upright position during feedings to reduce the risk of choking and facilitate swallowing. Support your baby’s head and neck to help maintain proper alignment and reduce strain on the neck muscles. Alternate sides that you hold your baby to ensure equal share of pressure on yourself and your baby’s posture.

  • Pace feeding: Practise paced bottle feeding, where you mimic the natural rhythm of breastfeeding by allowing the baby to control the flow of milk and take breaks as needed. This can help prevent overfeeding and minimise discomfort.

  • Burp frequently: Pause during feedings to burp your baby regularly, especially if they are swallowing air. Gently pat or rub your baby’s back to help release trapped gas and alleviate discomfort. Sitting the baby upright on your knee can be a really effective way to do this.

  • Seek support: This is the most important step! A tongue tie can often be corrected through a procedure known as frenulotomy. As a Tongue Tie Assessor and Infant Feeding Coach, I can assess your baby’s feeding difficulties and support you through the process, offering personalised advice and recommending interventions if and when necessary. So please don’t suffer in silence. I’m here to help you and your baby overcome any challenges and to turn your feeding journey into a memorable, empowering and enjoyable bonding experience for you both.


More information

Bottle feeding a tongue-tied infant can be challenging, but with patience, perseverance and the right support, you can change the course of your feeding journey. By choosing the appropriate feeding techniques and working with healthcare professionals, you can ensure that bottle feeding is a positive and nurturing experience for both you and your little one.

 

You can find out more about tongue tie via the NHS and NCT websites. There’s also a great article about bottle feeding infants with tongue tie. If you’d like to find out more about me and the feeding services I offer, please visit my infant feeding support page or contact me directly. To ensure I’m the right healthcare professional for you, please do take advantage of my free 15-minute consultation. Head over to my special offers page to learn more.


Medical review


This page was last reviewed on 18/10/2024 by Felicity Avery, BOst.

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