A week into being a new parent, some mothers hit a wall with breastfeeding. Their newborn has trouble latching, isn’t feeding properly, and has left their mother’s breasts engorged and in pain. That is when they seek out a pediatric clinic in Dubai.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it can be quite common, and with the best pediatricians in Dubai, there’s a way to manage this problem. A lot of mummies of newborns can go through this and often, your newborn is experiencing a tongue tie or lip tie. You need to head straight over to a pediatric clinic in Dubai, one where a pediatrician or lactation specialist can confirm the severity of the tongue/lip tie and recommend the right remedy for your baby.
In the meanwhile, let us fill you in on what tongue tie and lip tie are, how they’re different, what symptoms accompany them, and how they can be treated.
Remember, it’s nothing to fret over.
Tongue Tie In Detail
Tongue tie (medical name: ankyloglossia) is a birth condition where the child’s tongue is tied to the mouth’s floor, restricting the tongue’s range of motion. It occurs when the lingual frenulum, a band of tissue found below the tongue and connects it to the mouth’s floor, is malformed (thick, short, or too tight).
The severity of the tongue tie varies from case to case. In mild cases, the condition resolves on its own and some therapy techniques are often used to aid the process of loosening the tie. In extreme cases, however, you will likely need to visit a pediatric clinic in Dubai, where simple surgical procedures can be used to release the tongue.
Having a tongue tie can lead to impaired mouth function, where the child may have trouble eating, speaking, and swallowing. It is, therefore, key to identify it, have it diagnosed, and treated as early as possible.
Check for the following signs for a case of tongue tie:
1- A V-shaped notch at the tip of the tongue upon sticking it out.
2- Difficulty moving the tongue freely, lifting it to touch the roof of the mouth, etc.
3- The newborn has trouble latching and sucking, leading to complications during breastfeeding. The baby may keep feeling hungry despite regular feedings. This will inevitably lead to poor weight gain and oral development.
4- The mother will be in pain during nursing. An infant with tongue tie often chews instead of sucking, leading to engorged breasts and raw nipples.
5- If a tongue tie is left untreated, it may lead to speech problems. Your infant may have trouble enunciating sounds such as d, t, r, l, n, s, and z.
6- Persistent dribbling is another symptom that can be used to identify tongue tie.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your infant, you should head over to a pediatric clinic in Dubai and look for one of the best pediatricians in Dubai to consult them for a proper
diagnosis and treatment.
At myPediaclinic, where we stand ready to welcome you and your little bundle of joy, Dr. Medhat, one of the best pediatricians in Dubai, and a foremost expert in tongue tie and lip tie, will be best able to examine your baby, inform you on how severe the case is, and detail the next steps forward. In addition to suggesting some tongue therapy techniques, he will let you know if you require a frenectomy.
A frenectomy is small surgical procedure, where we use our state-of-the-art medical equipment to neatly sever the tissue causing the tongue tie. It’s a quick, efficient, and painless procedure, so you have nothing to worry about. Just pop in to our pediatric clinic in Dubai for a quick visit or contact us to book an appointment.
Lip Tie In Detail
A lip tie is a very similar condition to a tongue tie.
A lip tie is caused by a malformed piece of tissue/membrane (the labial frenum, in this case) behind the lips of the baby, resulting in restricted movement of the lips. Far less common than tongue tie, lip tie comes with similar symptoms, the most common and noticeable being difficulty in breastfeeding and speech complications. Remain on the lookout for the signs mentioned above and while most cases of lip tie will resolve on their own as well, it is always better to get professional advice from the best pediatricians in Dubai, like Dr. Medhat , who are well known for their knowledge of this particular issue.
Lip tie treatments are similar to those of tongue tie, with more severe cases requiring correction through a frenectomy.
For more advice or in case of any questions regarding tongue tie and lip tie in newborns and infants, you can always send us an email or come in for a visit.
As one of the leading pediatric clinic in Dubai, we would be more than happy to assist you and your baby in any way possible!
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tongue-tie/symptoms-causes/syc-20378452
https://www.healthline.com/health/lip-tie#symptoms https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/ankyloglossia-tongue-tie
