Know one of the most recurring problems for a mother and her baby when breastfeeding.
As moms, we know that breastfeeding is the main source of food for our babies, and it is also an important link that is hardly being supplanted by other methods. Breastfeeding nourishes stimulates and makes the baby feel protected.
However, within this period complications can occur. One of them is the short lingual frenulum, which is a small membrane that people have inside the tongue, but sometimes it is located on the lower part. When this membrane is too short and not very elastic, it restricts the normal movements of the tongue, causing difficulties during lactation.
The main problem caused by the short lingual frenulum also called ankyloglossia, is that the baby does not adequately support the breast when breastfeeding. Rather than clinging to the proper portion of the breast, that is, the nipple and most of the areola, just reach for the nipple.
This situation leads to the baby loosening very frequently and therefore favors the appearance of cracks in the nipples, pain and an increased risk of infections. It could also cause breast engorgement, which occurs when feedings are prolonged but little milk is expressed.
The short lingual frenulum also causes breastfeeding sessions to be long and tiring for the mother and her baby, who does not ingest the necessary amount of milk and causes other problems such as malnutrition.
To treat the short lingual frenulum, it is possible to resort to looking for a better position to breastfeed. If this does not solve the problem, a surgery called frenectomy is necessary, which can be performed with a scalpel, laser or scissors, carried out by a specialist.
If you feel that you have this problem while breastfeeding your baby, do not forget to consult with a specialist to determine what is best for you and your little one.