My newborn niece has a TONGUE TIE!

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My sister is blessed to have a newborn baby girl, we are all so excited and happy to have her in our family.

Her name is Eleri Muffin...

(Photo is mine)

While still in the hospital when the baby was crying, doctor noticed when the baby's mouth opened that the underside of the tongue of the baby is connecting to the membrane and to the floor of the mouth.

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The doctor advised my sister to bring her baby to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) to see her baby's tongue because she might have a TONGUE TIE.

The ENT diagnosed that my niece has a Ankyloglossia, also known as tongue-tie. It is a congenital oral anomaly that may decrease mobility of the tongue tip and is caused by an unusually short, thick lingual frenulum, a membrane connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankyloglossia)

The doctor advised my sister to monitor the baby's breastfeeding condition and will see first if the baby will be having difficulties or trouble in breastfeeding because pity of the baby to undergo surgery because she is just newly born.

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But if the baby having trouble in breastfeeding, she must undergo surgery.
The doctor said that there is nothing to worry. Breast milk can help in healing the wound.

FRENULOPLASTY is a procedure in which a doctor clips the tissue (lingual frenulum) that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Stitches are used to close the triangular-shaped wound. And pressure may be applied to stop any bleeding.
(https://www.webmd.com/children/frenuloplasty-for-tongue-tie)

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(Google image)

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*Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of tongue-tie include:

• Difficulty lifting the tongue to the upper teeth or moving the tongue from side to side

• Trouble sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth

• A tongue that appears notched or heart shaped when stuck out

• When to see a doctor?

See a doctor if:

• Your baby has signs of tongue-tie that cause problems, such as having trouble breast-feeding

• A speech-language pathologist thinks your child's speech is affected by tongue-tie

• Your older child complains of tongue problems that interfere with eating, speaking or reaching the back teeth

• You're bothered by your own symptoms of tongue-tie

• Causes
  Typically, the lingual frenulum separates before birth, allowing the tongue free range of motion. With tongue-tie, the lingual frenulum remains attached to the bottom of the tongue. Why this happens is largely unknown, although some cases of tongue-tie have been associated with certain genetic factors.

*Risk factors
Although tongue-tie can affect anyone, it's more common in boys than girls. Tongue-tie sometimes runs in families.

*Complications
Tongue-tie can affect a baby's oral development, as well as the way he or she eats, speaks and swallows.

For example, tongue-tie can lead to:

• Breast-feeding problems. Breast-feeding requires a baby to keep his or her tongue over the lower gum while sucking. If unable to move the tongue or keep it in the right position, the baby might chew instead of suck on the nipple. This can cause significant nipple pain and interfere with a baby's ability to get breast milk. Ultimately, poor breast-feeding can lead to inadequate nutrition and failure to thrive.

• Speech difficulties. Tongue-tie can interfere with the ability to make certain sounds — such as "t," "d," "z," "s," "th" and "l." It can be especially challenging to roll an "r."

• Poor oral hygiene. For an older child or adult, tongue-tie can make it difficult to sweep food debris from the teeth. This can contribute to tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Tongue-tie can also lead to the formation of a gap or space between the two bottom front teeth.

• Challenges with other oral activities. Tongue-tie can interfere with activities such as licking an ice cream cone, licking the lips, kissing or playing a wind instrument.
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tongue-tie/symptoms-causes/syc-20378452$

For now, we will observe the condition of my niece for the time being. We will just decide later when is the proper time for her to undergo surgery.

We are hoping and praying for her good health.

*Please see below links of Article Sources for your reference:
-Wikipedia:(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankyloglossia)
-WebMd: https://www.webmd.com/children/frenuloplasty-for-tongue-tie)
Mayoclinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tongue-tie/symptoms-causes/syc-20378452$

*Photo credits: Google

I would like to thank Hive account@iwrite for mentoring me and for his patience.
I am very blessed and thankful to have him as my mentor.

Thanks and more power to Steemit Diversify Team!