What are the ‘red flags’ for oral dysfunction or tethered oral tissues?
Parenthood is a journey full of joys and challenges, and one of the significant challenges faced by many parents revolves around feeding and oral development in their infants. Identifying potential issues early on is crucial for the well-being of both the baby, the breastfeeding relationship and a positive mealtime experience for all. In this blog post, we'll explore various red flags for oral dysfunction and when it's time to seek professional help.
Red Flags for Oral Dysfunction:
Shallow latch: A shallow latch can lead to ineffective sucking, causing discomfort for both the baby and the breastfeeding parent.
Difficulty staying latched: If the baby struggles to maintain a consistent latch during feeding, it could indicate an underlying issue with their oral function.
Sensitive gag: A hypersensitive gag reflex might interfere with successful breastfeeding and may signal oral motor difficulties.
Milk dribbling from corners of the mouth: Excessive dribbling of milk during feeding may suggest difficulties in creating and sustaining a proper seal during sucking.
Biting or chomping on nipple: Aggressive biting or chomping may lead to nipple pain and could indicate oral motor challenges.
Milk tongue (white coating): A persistent white coating on the baby's tongue might be a sign that the tongue is not elevating properly to the palate to clear milk residue.
Gulping/Air swallowing: Unusual sounds such as gulping or excessive air swallowing during feeding could indicate inefficient sucking patterns.
Clicking or squeaking noises with feeding: Clicking or squeaking sounds while feeding may suggest a poor latch or other oral motor or swallowing problems.
Coughing/choking during feeding: Frequent coughing or choking spells during feeding may be a sign of difficulty managing milk flow, coordination of suck-swallow-breathe, or other swallowing issues.
Lip blisters: Blisters on the baby's lips may indicate friction or pressure issues during sucking from overusing lips. If the movements of the tongue, lips or cheeks are inhibited, a baby is going to recruit other structures and muscles to help get the job done.
Fussy feeding: Persistent fussiness during feeding sessions might signal discomfort or frustration with the feeding process.
Poor weight gain: Inadequate weight gain despite regular feeding may be a red flag for underlying oral dysfunction.
Breast preference/refusal: A strong preference for one breast or refusal to feed may indicate feeding discomfort, oral motor dysfunction, or movement restrictions/difficulties.
Poor endurance or falling asleep: If the baby tires quickly during feeding or consistently falls asleep, it may suggest oral motor challenges.
Extended breast/bottle feeding time: Extended feeding sessions may be a sign of inefficient sucking, leading to prolonged feeding times.
Bottle or pacifier refusal: If the baby refuses bottles or pacifiers or only can latch to a specific shape of a pacifier/bottle, it may suggest that baby is having difficulty achieving optimal sucking mechanisms.
Causing nipple pain or damage: Pain or damage to the breastfeeding parent's nipples can result from improper latch or sucking patterns.
Recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis: Oral dysfunction can contribute to recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis in breastfeeding parents.
Gassy, Reflux, Colic: Digestive issues such as gas, reflux, or colic may be linked to oral motor challenges affecting swallowing and digestion.
Open mouth posture at rest: An open mouth posture when not feeding might indicate underlying oral muscle weakness or oral facial structural differences impacting baby’s ability to nasal breathe.
Difficulty progressing to soft solids by 8 months: Challenges transitioning to solid foods could be linked to oral motor difficulties.
Limited repertoire of foods: A reluctance to try new foods may suggest sensory motor difficulties with food.
Difficulty moving/chewing food: Challenges in moving or chewing food might be indicative of oral motor issues affecting feeding development.
Frequently spitting foods out: If the baby consistently spits out foods, it may suggest difficulty managing textures or swallowing.
Frequently overstuffing mouth: Overstuffing the mouth may indicate challenges in coordinating chewing and swallowing or oral sensory awareness in the mouth.
Conclusion:
If you or your baby are experiencing one or more of these red flags, it's essential to reach out for a free consultation with a qualified lactation consultant or pediatric feeding specialist. Early intervention can make a significant difference in addressing oral dysfunction issues and promoting a positive feeding experience for both the baby and the parent. Remember, seeking professional guidance is a proactive step towards ensuring the health and well-being of your little one.
