Surgical correction of tongue-tie: it isn't the only answer. Marie Biancuzzo USA, Born to be Breastfed 2017

Dr Pamela Douglas14th of Jan 202417th of Jan 2024

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You feel sure you’ve got milk, but your baby isn’t getting it. A few experts have insisted that he has a posterior tongue-tie. Others assert that he is swallowing air when he breastfeeds. He’s pulling away from the breast, arching his back, appearing frustrated, screaming or “tuning out” during feedings. In a desperate attempt to improve the breastfeeding experience, many parents opt for surgical correction of the tongue. But is that the answer? Join Marie and special guest, Dr. Pamela Douglas, for discussion of new research that uses ultrasound technology to explain the role of the tongue in transferring milk to the baby. Surgical correction does not always improve breastfeeding, and why is that? Learn what oral and tongue movements are critical to milk transfer and which are not, as well as the role of baby’s oral reflexes. Find out what you can do if your baby is experiencing this situation, and why many tongue-tied babies can successfully breastfeed without having surgery.

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Tongue and lip ties: new science challenges the status quo. Marie Biancuzzo USA, Born to be Breastfed 2017

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So your newborn is having difficulty breastfeeding, and three different experts have said he has a posterior tongue-tie, and needs laser surgery! Yet, your pediatrician says the surgery is unnecessary. You end up with many questions about what—if anything—is wrong or needs intervention. Listen as Marie’s guest, seasoned researcher and physician Dr. Pamela Douglas insists that normal variations in newborn anatomy are being diagnosed as tongue ties or upper lip ties, resulting in unnecessary invasive surgery. She recalls having seen many babies “who have worsened breastfeeding problems—and oral aversions in particular—after their laser frenotomies or deep scissor frenotomies.” See how imprecise terminology and overused “diagnoses” have led to a staggering increase in invasive surgical interventions for these anatomical variations, despite clear evidence for their efficacy. Learn how to ask the right questions and begin to see more than one solution for the breastfeeding problem.

Listen now on: Apple Podcasts,

Surgical correction of tongue-tie: it isn't the only answer. Marie Biancuzzo USA, Born to be Breastfed 2017

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