Mothers' experiences of breastfeeding a child with tongue‐tie

Abstract Tongue‐tie is characterized by an abnormally tight, short and thick lingual frenulum restricting the tongue's movement. This functional impairment can hinder a child's ability to maintain an effective latch and suckle and may lead to complex breastfeeding difficulties. The primary...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Maternal & Child Nutrition
Main Authors: Jillian Waterman, Tiffany Lee, Holly Etchegary, Anne Drover, Laurie Twells
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13115
https://doaj.org/article/3aa892d582a64c6c9544164f79659999
Description
Summary:Abstract Tongue‐tie is characterized by an abnormally tight, short and thick lingual frenulum restricting the tongue's movement. This functional impairment can hinder a child's ability to maintain an effective latch and suckle and may lead to complex breastfeeding difficulties. The primary aim of this study was to explore the experiences of mothers who have breastfed a child with tongue‐tie, including their experiences with the health care system. A qualitative description study design was used. Two semistructured focus groups were conducted in February 2016 with a total of nine participants in the largest metropolitan area of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Content analysis using constant comparison revealed a common incongruity between participants' breastfeeding expectations and their actual experiences of feeding a child with tongue‐tie. Three major themes are discussed: mothers' well‐being, strained interpersonal relationships and frustration with the health care system.