Healing process
Some families may experience a recurrence of symptoms between weeks 1 and 3 post-procedure. Fibrous tissue will start to form in the wound around this time as a natural part of the healing process, but because this tissue is not as flexible, there may be a relapse in symptoms. Encouraging your baby to move their tongue through gentle post-procedural exercises, games, and regular feeding will encourage the wound to heal optimally. time this tissue will become smoother and softer.
Muscle fatige
Another common reason for relapse in symptoms is oral muscle fatigue. As with all muscles, we must regularly move them to build strength and tone. For babies with muscle movements restricted by a tongue tie, it will take time for this to happen. Like going to the gym, the more you commit, the stronger you become. This fatigue should resolve as the muscles build strength and the movement becomes more straightforward.
Muscle re-education
It can take time to re-educate a muscles, your baby’s oral muscles have learned compensatory methods of suckling, and despite having had a tongue tie release, they will not yet have the muscle memory of how to use the tongue without the restriction. Regular feeding and engagement with post-procedural exercises will help re-educate your baby’s suckling skills.
Oral Function Relapse and the Importance of Ongoing Support
While the goal of a frenulotomy is to improve tongue mobility and feeding function, it’s important to understand that oral function can relapse over time. This means that even after an initially successful procedure, some babies may return to old, less effective sucking habits—known as compensatory suckling patterns.
These patterns may resurface due to normal changes in your baby’s mouth, such as:
- Teething, which can cause oral discomfort
- Illnesses like colds, which affect nasal breathing and suck-swallow coordination
- Growth spurts or changes in feeding rhythm
That’s why ongoing support and skill development are essential. Babies may need reminders and reinforcement of effective sucking and feeding techniques to maintain optimal function over time. Oral exercises, responsive feeding practices, and lactation support can all play a key role in helping your baby adapt and thrive throughout their feeding journey.
Example of commonly seen healing journey
First Day or Two:
- Your baby may experience some soreness and fussiness. Skin-to-skin contact can help soothe their nervous system and keep them comfortable.
- Gentle exercises can commence the day after the procedure. Think of it as gentle rehabilitation for their tongue!
- If your baby is over 12 weeks, you can administer paracetamol according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If your baby is under 12 weeks and you believe they might benefit from paracetamol, please consult your GP.
Days 2-3:
- The initial soreness from the surgery should start to subside, although your baby might still feel slightly achy, as if their tongue muscles have undergone a workout.
- Some symptoms that prompted the procedure might reappear briefly.
Days 3 – 2 Weeks:
- While the wound remains open, your baby may find feeding easier during this period.
- The wound may take on a white or yellowish appearance, which is entirely normal.
Weeks 2-3:
- Symptoms may become more noticeable again during this time. This occurs because the wound has likely closed, and the new scar tissue may initially be somewhat rigid, but it will improve over time with continued tongue movement.
- Continue with the playful exercises we’ve provided to help loosen your baby’s tongue.
- This could be an opportune moment for a follow up appointment, additional exercise guidance, and to check on wound healing.
Week 6:
- By this stage, feeding should be becoming easier for both you and your baby. Occasionally challenging feeding sessions may still occur, as your little one adjusts from previous feeding habits.
- Persist with the exercises as long as your little one is willing (excluding the tongue lift). If your baby no longer tolerates the exercises, or if symptoms persist, consider returning for a review and perhaps an update to exercises suited to their current development and needs.
