Introducing solid foods is an exciting milestone for parents, but for some families, it doesn’t go as planned. At New Jersey Tongue-Tie Center, we work with many parents who notice feeding challenges during this stage, and often, the underlying cause turns out to be a tongue tie or lip tie.
What Are Tongue and Lip Ties?
A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) happens when the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight or short, limiting movement. Similarly, a lip tie occurs when the upper lip tethers too tightly to the gum. While these conditions are often discussed in relation to breastfeeding, they can also significantly affect how a child eats solid food.
How Ties Affect Solid Food Introduction
We frequently see that tongue and lip ties can make eating solids frustrating or uncomfortable for little ones. Here’s why:
1. Difficulty Moving Food: Tongue mobility is essential for moving food from side to side in the mouth and forming a bolus to swallow. A restricted tongue can make this process inefficient or even unsafe.
2. Gagging and Choking: Limited tongue and lip movement can interfere with safe chewing and swallowing, increasing the risk of gagging or choking during meals.
3. Picky Eating or Food Aversions: If eating feels unpleasant or challenging, children may begin to avoid certain textures or resist trying new foods, leading to long-term feeding issues.
4. Oral Motor Delays: Proper lip closure and tongue movement are key to developing oral motor skills. Ties can delay these developmental milestones.
Signs to Watch For
If your child is struggling with solids, here are a few red flags to look out for:
- Pushing food out of the mouth frequently
- Gagging or choking on soft foods
- Difficulty transitioning from purees to more textured options
- Fussiness or frustration during meals
- Extended mealtimes without successful eating
We’re Here to Help
If you suspect a tongue or lip tie may be impacting your child’s ability to eat solids, we encourage you to reach out. At New Jersey Tongue-Tie Center, we provide thorough evaluations and personalized care plans to support your child’s feeding journey. Call us at 201-515-5534 to learn more or schedule a consultation. Let’s work together to make mealtimes enjoyable again.
