Why Babies with Tongue Ties Have Body Tension & How Your Local Orange County Pediatric Chiropractor Can Help
Hey there, parents! 👶 If you’ve recently discovered that your baby has a tongue tie (or you're concerned they might), you’re probably learning a lot about how it can affect feeding. But did you know that tongue ties can also lead to body tension in your little one?
Let’s break down why this happens and how pediatric chiropractic care can help your baby feel more comfortable, especially if you’re preparing for tongue tie release (frenectomy) or supporting their recovery afterward.
Why Does a Tongue Tie Cause Body Tension?
A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is when the tissue (called the frenulum) under the tongue is too tight or short. This limits tongue movement, which can make breastfeeding difficult and uncomfortable for your baby. But the issues don’t stop there.
Babies with tongue ties often have to compensate with other muscles in their bodies to make up for the lack of tongue mobility. These compensations can cause tension in the neck, jaw, and even the shoulders and back. You might notice your baby arching their back, clenching their fists, or seeming uncomfortable during feeds. This tension can create a cycle of discomfort and make feeding even more challenging.
How Pediatric Chiropractic Care Can Help
This is where pediatric chiropractic care comes in! As chiropractors, we’re trained to gently assess and address body tension in babies. Here’s how we can help:
Relieving Tension: We use gentle, specific techniques to release tension in your baby’s neck, spine, and jaw. This can help ease discomfort and improve their range of motion, so they feel more relaxed.
Supporting Feeding: By improving the alignment of your baby’s body and relieving tension, chiropractic care can make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding easier. When your baby’s body is more balanced, they can latch more effectively and feed more comfortably.
Preparing for Tongue Tie Release: If your baby is scheduled for a frenectomy, chiropractic adjustments before the procedure can help by reducing body tension and improving their overall posture. This makes the procedure less stressful for their little bodies, and helps them adjust more easily afterward.
Post-Procedure Care: After the tongue tie release, we can support your baby’s recovery. Chiropractic care helps the muscles and tissues around the mouth, neck, and shoulders heal properly, ensuring they don’t hold onto old tension patterns that developed before the procedure.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Tongue Tied Babies
Better feeding success: Easier latching and more comfortable feeding means less frustration for both you and your baby.
Improved sleep: Less tension in your baby’s body can lead to better rest (and we all know how precious sleep is!).
Happier baby: When babies are in less discomfort, they tend to be calmer and happier overall.
Final Thoughts
If your baby has a tongue tie and you're seeing signs of body tension, know that you're not alone—and there are gentle, effective ways to help. Pediatric chiropractic care offers a safe, natural approach to reducing that tension and supporting your baby through their tongue tie journey, both before and after any procedures.
Curious about whether chiropractic care is right for your baby? Let’s chat and see how we can help make your little one more comfortable and get feeding on track! 💙
#PediatricChiropractic #TongueTieSupport #BabyHealth #GentleChiropractic #NewParentTips #BabyFeeding