A newborn with ankyloglossia is being evaluated. What is the next best step in management?

A newborn with ankyloglossia is being evaluated. What is the next best step in management?

• A. Refer frenulectomy
• B. Schedule lactation consultant
• C. Ask the mother if the infant has any feeding difficulties.
• D. Bottle feed breast milk

Answer: (C)

In babies with tongue-tie, what matters most is whether the restriction is affecting feeding. The next best step is to ask the mother about the infant’s feeding experience. Start by inquiring about latch quality, duration of feeds, nipple pain, whether the baby feeds efficiently, and whether the baby is gaining weight appropriately. Many newborns with ankyloglossia feed without issue, so documenting any feeding difficulties helps determine if further action is needed. If feeding problems are present or there are signs like poor weight gain, you’d then involve a lactation consultant and consider options such as a frenotomy if conservative measures don’t resolve the issue. If feeding is going well, observation and routine care are appropriate.

In babies with tongue-tie, what matters most is whether the restriction is affecting feeding. The next best step is to ask the mother about the infant’s feeding experience. Start by inquiring about latch quality, duration of feeds, nipple pain, whether the baby feeds efficiently, and whether the baby is gaining weight appropriately. Many newborns with ankyloglossia feed without issue, so documenting any feeding difficulties helps determine if further action is needed. If feeding problems are present or there are signs like poor weight gain, you’d then involve a lactation consultant and consider options such as a frenotomy if conservative measures don’t resolve the issue. If feeding is going well, observation and routine care are appropriate.