Background: Despite limited clinical consensus regarding surgery for tethered oral tissues ("tongue-tie") for resolving breastfeeding-related issues, the procedure has been increasing in the United States. Greater understanding of maternal experiences with obtaining surgical release may help to improve breastfeeding outcomes.
Research aim: To explore experiences of breastfeeding mothers with infants having undergone "tongue-tie" surgery.
Method:
This online, cross-sectional, observational survey occurred between August and September 2020. Eligibility included being
Results: The sample was predominantly white (n = 86; 95%), non-Hispanic (n = 84; 93%), married/cohabitating (n = 85; 94%), and currently providing their own milk (n = 81; 89%).Difficult latch was the primary reason for seeking help. Participants reported lingual (n = 84; 93%), labial (n = 79; 88%), and buccal (n = 16; 17%) tissue-release, with 80% (n = 73) reporting > 1 released. For each tissue released, > 80% (n = 72) of participants felt "very confident" in their ability to correctly identify it and 97% (n = 87) felt "very involved" and "strongly agreed" with surgical release. International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® were the most frequently identified source of information (n = 45; 50%) and referrals (n = 38; 42%), while pediatric dentists most frequently performed interventions (n = 60; 67%).
Conclusions: Participants reported being confident, involved, and in agreement with surgical release and lactation support professionals were frequent information and referral sources.
Keywords: ankyloglossia; breastfeeding; breastfeeding difficulties; breastfeeding experience; cross-sectional online survey; maternal behavior; southeastern United States; tongue-tie.