// 845.371.2222 WEEK 2 בעזרת השם יתברך 845.579.5700 | Levfamilyhealth.com | Evergreen Uptown Mall 1581 US-202, Pomona, NY 10970 Claim your free Baby Book now! call, text or email 845.579.5700 books@ levfamilyhealth.com Dr. Hirsch’s Answer: It’s amazing how something so small — that thin piece of tissue under the tongue — can cause so many questions. We’re talking about tongue ties, or what doctors call ankyloglossia. If you’ve noticed a tight band under your baby’s tongue, you might wonder if it’s normal or needs treatment. Let’s break it down. What Is a Tongue Tie? Everyone has a small band under the tongue called the frenulum. In some babies, it’s shorter or tighter than usual, limiting tongue movement. This can sometimes affect feeding — and rarely, later speech or oral care. When Does It Matter? Many mild tongue ties cause no trouble. But if your baby struggles to latch, makes clicking sounds, milk leaks while feeding, or isn’t gaining well — mention it to your pediatrician. Sometimes the tie is the cause, and sometimes it’s not. To Clip or Not to Clip? Treatment is called a frenotomy — a quick, safe procedure often done right in the office. But not every tie needs it. Many feeding issues improve with good latch support before considering a snip. What About Speech Later On? Research shows tongue ties rarely cause major speech issues. Decisions are usually based on how feeding is going now, not what might happen later. The Bottom Line If you suspect a tongue tie, don’t panic. Talk to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant familiar with the issue. The goal is a baby who feeds comfortably and grows well — not a perfect-looking frenulum. Tongue Tie Truths & Myths Myth 1: “Every tongue tie needs to be fixed.” Many mild ties never cause problems. If your baby feeds well and gains weight, there’s no need to act just because it’s there. Myth 2: “A tongue tie will definitely cause speech problems later.” Most children with mild, untreated ties speak perfectly fine. Speech issues usually have more complex causes. Myth 3: “The procedure is major or risky.” A frenotomy is quick, safe, and often done without anesthesia. Babies are usually feeding again within minutes. Myth 4: “If I don’t fix it now, I’ll regret it forever.” There’s no rush. If it’s not causing feeding trouble, you can always revisit it later with your pediatrician or feeding specialist. My baby was diagnosed with a tongue tie. What does that mean, and does it need to be fixed? __ L. Stein This Week’s Question Ask@levfamilyhealth.com Send your question to 87
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