Breastfeeding symptoms with tongue- and lip-tie

In this study of 121 mother-infant dyads, we found that more severe classifications of tongue- and lip-tie were associated with particular symptoms in mom and baby. All infant symptoms improved and feeding duration improved post-frenotomy.

Authors: Rebecca Hill, Melissa Richard & Britt Pados

Publication information: MCN, the American Journal of Maternal-Child Nursing, doi: 10.1097/NMC.0000000000000876

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Gastrointestinal symptom improvement for infants following tongue-tie correction

In this study of 84 infants with tongue-tie, we found significant improvements in symptoms of gastrointestinal distress and gastroesophageal reflux 2 weeks after correction with frenotomy.

Authors: Rebecca Hill & Britt Pados

Publication information: Clinical Pediatrics. doi: 10.1177/00099228221117459

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Effect of frenotomy on maternal breastfeeding symptoms and the relationship between maternal symptoms and problematic infant feeding

In this study of 102 mother-infant dyads, we found that there was a decrease in maternal breastfeeding symptoms after frenotomy, including improvement in painful and difficult latch, creased/cracked nipples, bleeding or abraded nipples, chewing of the nipple, and feelings of depression. Symptoms of problematic infant feeding (as measured by the Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool) were significantly lower 2 weeks after frenotomy.

Authors: Rebecca Hill, Karen Lyons, Susan Kelly-Weeder, & Britt Pados

Publication information: Global Pediatric Health. 2022. doi: 10.1177/2333794X211072835

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A pilot study of non-nutritive suck measures immediately pre- and post-frenotomy in full term infants with problematic feeding

In this study, we explored changes in non-nutritive sucking measures before and after frenotomy procedures in infants with tongue tie who were experiencing symptoms of problematic feeding.

Authors: Rebecca Hill, Morgan Hines, Alaina Martens, Britt Pados, & Emily Zimmerman

Publication information: Journal of Neonatal Nursing. In press. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2021.10.009

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The prevalence of ankyloglossia in children less than one year of age: A systematic review & meta-analysis

In this meta-analysis of research studies involving 24,536 children, we found that the overall prevalence of tongue-tie was 8%. Tongue-tie is a relatively common oral anomaly, but existing assessment tools lack adequate psychometric properties. Further research on the impact of tongue-tie on feeding and development of a psychometrically-sound assessment is needed.

Authors: Rebecca Hill, Chris Lee & Britt Pados

Publication information: Pediatric Research. 2020; 90: 259-266. doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-01239-y

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Symptoms of problematic feeding in infants under 1 year of age undergoing frenotomy: A review article

In this review of the existing literature on feeding in infants with tongue-tie under 1 year old, we found that there is evidence that frenotomy results in improvement in maternal nipple pain, breastfeeding self-efficacy and LATCH scores. Little data was found on the effect of frenotomy on infant feeding and those studies that did explore infant feeding lacked comprehensive feeding assessments with adequate psychometric properties. Additional research is needed on the impact of frenotomy on infant feeding using comprehensive, psychometrically-sound feeding assessments.

Authors: Rebecca Hill & Britt Pados

Publication information: Acta Paediatrica. 2020; 109(12): 2502-2514. doi: 10.1111/apa.15473

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