I do cringe a little as I write this post, but having learnt something that will shed light on many mums breastfeeding problems, I feel it needs to be flung into the public domain. The question is, has anyone told you that your baby has a high arched palate and are you still having breastfeeding problems? Well, there is one more thing you can explore which will help you fully resolve breastfeeding problems.
The art and science of breastfeeding is a very new and recent development. This makes studying the subject and applying what you have learnt a lot trickier. Why? Well, there is always new information or research which alters the way you practice. As the subject is so new, we find that what we thought was right (and have told mums was right) actually is not right at all, in light of new research.
One example is how a baby breastfeeds. We used to think that babies used their tongue in a peristalsis motion to compress the breast against their palate in order to transfer milk. Now we know that the baby uses the front part of the tongue to stabilize the breast whilst lapping it to create a negative pressure/suction at the back of the mouth, which then transfers milk from the breast into the mouth, when the tongue drops.
Another example is a high arched palate. I was taught that a high arched palate is just how you are made. In fact many times when I pointed out a high arched palate, either mum or dad would say, ‘Yes, that is just like my palate’. So it may run in the family but on closer inspection of a book I recently purchased, I have discovered that a tongue tie can lead to the development of a high arched palate.
HMMM? Okay let me explain. When your baby is in the womb and developing, there are certain things that he or she will be doing in preparation for life in the big wide world. You have seen how babies suck their fingers, hiccough, burp in the womb haven’t you, so we know your baby is active. Well another thing your baby will be doing is moving his or her tongue across the upper palate. This creates a nice wide dome shaped palate which is great for breastfeeding.
However, when your baby is not able to move his or her tongue, the palate is shaped around the tongue, and this forms an arch. Usually the more pronounced the tongue tie, the more pronounced the arch of the palate. Now, as with everything in life, there are variations of tongue tie.
For instance, the tongue tie or membrane tying the tongue to the floor of the mouth, can be found right at the tip of the tongue, or further back, close to the base of the tongue. The membrane itself can also vary greatly. Sometimes it is elastic and flexible and other times it is short, thick and tight.
If you are struggling to feed your baby, have your baby checked for a tongue tie. If you close to me in Twickenham, I can have a look for you and refer you to the right people to have the tongue tie assessed and divided if need be.
