Tongue-Tie in Babies: Breastfeeding, Growth, and What to Do

When Breastfeeding Is Unexpectedly Painful

Every midwife and health visitor in Lagos tells new mothers that breastfeeding should not hurt. So when it does — persistently, despite position adjustments — something structural needs to be considered. Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is one of the most common and most underdiagnosed structural causes of breastfeeding difficulty in Nigerian newborns.

What Is Tongue-Tie?

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The frenulum is the membrane connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. When this is unusually short or tight, it restricts tongue movement — limiting the baby's ability to latch deeply and create effective suction. This causes pain for the mother and ineffective milk transfer for the baby.

Signs That May Indicate Tongue-Tie

In the baby:

• Poor latch — shallow or slipping off the breast repeatedly
• Clicking or chomping sound during feeding
• Excessive wind and wind pain from swallowed air
• Poor weight gain (see our guide to weight and metabolism) despite frequent feeding
• Visible heart-shape or notching of the tongue tip when extended

In the mother:

• Persistent nipple pain and trauma despite position correction
• Mastitis from incomplete breast emptying
• Low milk supply developing secondary to poor stimulus

Assessment and Next Steps

FXMed's maternal wellness team includes assessment of tongue function in the context of breastfeeding difficulties. When tongue-tie is confirmed and causing significant feeding problems, we facilitate referral for frenotomy (division of the frenulum) — a simple, quick procedure that most babies tolerate very well and that immediately improves feeding in most cases.

Support Your Breastfeeding Journey

If breastfeeding is painful or your baby is not gaining weight well, don't wait. Book a maternal wellness consultation with FXMed — we come to your home, making assessment easy in the exhausting newborn period.