Is it safe for a 1-month-old to undergo tongue tie surgery?

Question

Hi doctor,

My baby is one month old. She is not latching properly for breastfeeding. The lactation consultant says it is due to a tongue tie. We consulted a pediatric dentist, who said it was a tongue and lip tie. And she advised correction using a laser.

We are scared to do this procedure since she is just 7.5 lbs now. She was a full-term baby with low birth weight; she was just 5.5 lbs. Baby's father also had a tongue tie, which was corrected when he was three years old due to speech delay. Is it necessary to correct it now? I have attached pictures of the oral cavity of the baby.

Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to iCliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The given picture needs to be clarified about the tongue tie (attachment removed to protect patient identity). We need to see the patient in an office visit. So I suggest you go to a pediatric and plastic surgeon; they will assess and plan for surgery if indicated.

Here it seems that your baby will need surgery because of feeding difficulty. If there is no feeding difficulty, then we can wait. The surgeon will explain the risk of surgery and fitness, though newborn babies also undergo various kinds of surgery with standard risk. A pediatric anesthesiologist will be required during surgery.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.

Have a great day.