Tongue-tie in the newborn: Follow-up in the first 6 months

Abstract

Background: Over the last decade, a number of studies have demonstrated that early division of tongue-tie (TT) is associated with significant feeding benefits to both mother and baby. Notwithstanding, it remains a controversial procedure. We examined the breastfeeding outcomes of a cohort of babies at 1-2 weeks (follow-up 1) and 3-5 months (follow-up 2), post-TT division.

Methods: We undertook a cohort study on all mother/baby dyads who had a TT divided at Canberra Hospital between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014. We contacted the mothers of both follow-up groups by telephone, focusing on breastfeeding and maternal pain.

Results: Follow-up 1 consisted of 116/182 (63.7%) of mothers in the study; contacted at 12.4+-7.8 days post-division. Of these, 107/116 (92.2%) were still breastfeeding, with 11/15 (73.3%) of the mothers who had ceased breastfeeding before division having re-established it at the time of follow-up (p < 0.00l). Additionally, 90/101 (89.1%) valid responses reported decreased nipple pain following TT division. Follow-up 2 consisted of 112/182 (61.5%) of all mothers in the study; contacted at 3.7+-1.8 months of age. Of these, 86/112 (76.8%) were still breastfeeding, with 11/15 (73.3%) of mothers who had ceased breastfeeding before division having re-established it at follow-up (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: A divided TT was associated with benefits at both periods of follow-up. There was (i) an increase in overall breastfeeding rates and (ii) a decrease in maternal pain.