The relationship between maternal symptoms and problematic infant feeding in the context of tongue-tie is unknown. In a sample of infants with tongue-tie undergoing frenotomy and their mothers, the aims of this study were to: (1) describe changes in maternal symptoms pre- and post-frenotomy, and (2) evaluate the relationships between maternal symptoms and symptoms of problematic feeding pre- and post-frenotomy. Mother-infant dyads were recruited from 1 pediatric dental office between July and November 2020. The sample included 102 mother-infant dyads; 84 completed the follow-up survey. Maternal symptoms of painful and difficult latch, creased/cracked nipples, bleeding, or abraded nipples, chewing of the nipple, and feelings of depression were significantly less common after tongue-tie revision. Poor latch onto the breast was associated with feeding difficulties at both time points. Frenotomy resulted in a decrease of symptoms in breastfeeding mothers. Maternal symptoms and feeding problems persisting post-frenotomy warrant further evaluation.
Keywords: ankyloglossia; bottle feeding; breast feeding; feeding behavior; frenotomy.
© The Author(s) 2022.