Not babbling. Tongue tie issue?

[Redskyyy]

My 10.5 month old is not babbling. His twin sister is which makes it more noticeable. He is making sounds and can definitely hear (his older sister had hearing issues and hearing aids so I can see the difference). This might sound crazy but I have a feeling he has tongue tie. He cant stick his tongue out, struggled to bf and with weight gain. Now on solids he eats fine. He smiles, claps etc. and is very active (crawled at 7m).

I’ve read that TT can cause speech issues, but assume that would only be in severe cases?

I’ve text my HV but wondered if anyone had advice or had experienced this. I’m trying not to be the over-worrying mum and have been ignoring it for a while, but google tells me 10 months is the time to get it checked...

Hi OP, I would say no harm in getting it checked out. Even just to rule it out. My baby had a tongue tie and we got it cut a few days after birth as was bf but actually speech was one of my main reasons as their tongue didn't go past their bottom gum. But it probably isn't anything to worry about!

Hi @Pepelepettigrew thank you! I am worried the HV will think I am overreacting. I would have pushed more for TT assessment early on but had such little support when they were born. Will speak to HV and see if she will come and have a look. Thanks again!

Hi OP, I had concerns just over a month ago with my now 7 month olds, no weight issues or bf issues but cannot stick his tongue out. I took him to see the GP and she referred me to the maxillo facial surgeon because she noticed it straight away. We are there this afternoon for our appointment. So definitely go get it looked at and see what they say.

Hi @ReassureMee thanks so much. Do you suggest go straight to GP or HV first? I hope your appt goes ok. We saw max fax with our eldest daughter (diff issue!) and they were v gd.

I went straight to GP. I haven’t found HV very useful during COVID. Not sure what they are like normally because this is my first. But my sons GP has been brilliant and ever so nice.

Thankyou! Will update later how he gets on.

This might sound stupid, but how do you know your baby can’t stick their tongue out? DS has never stuck his tongue out but I assumed it’s because it’s just never crossed his mind to try, rather than not being able to do it.

Both my boys had a tongue tie, both picked up when they were babies due to breastfeeding difficulties.

With my first one I was told the TT wasn’t severe, didn’t really need doing but it was my choice. I made the decision not to because I didn’t really want to put him through it if it wasn’t necessary. This was 7 years ago.

My second son’s TT was a severe one and was snipped at 9 days old.

My eldest son has a bit of a lisp and there are some letters he can’t pronounce properly and I do wonder if it’s because of the tongue tie and that if I’d had it snipped then his speech would be fine. If I had known back then that TT can affect speech I would have asked to have it done when she asked.

I'm very pro snipping tongue tie as early as possible. There is minimal pain and it's over in seconds and then baby immediately breastfeeds.

I had both ds's tongue tie snipped as soon as I could. Ds2 needed to be done twice because it didn't work the first time.

I'd recommend to anyone they get it done ASAP. Bypass HV, go straight to GP and ask to be referred immediately, say you want it done ASAP. Will they do it at the local hospital?

@knitting774 I might be wrong, or it might just be because his twin sister has a lizard tongue!! When he opens his mouth to eat, shout etc it doesn’t come out past his bottom gum.
I will call GP. I would absolutely have had it cut when he was tiny it if had been diagnosed. We were in hospital for 5 days and then under comm midwives for 3 weeks so would be strange if it is TT and wasn’t picked up.
Maybe I’m just a panicky mum. But anyway, thanks for replies, calling GP as soon as they fall asleep!

Just to be aware - I have previously been told that TT can only be snipped in the typical way up until the baby is 9 months older and after that it needs to be done under general anaesthetic.

It was 3 years ago I was told this though so things may have changed.

Ok so I’ve spoke to GP and she will see him this afternoon. However she was strongly suggesting it is only normally cut if there is a feeding issue. Surely if it is likely to impact speech that is reason to deal with it to?
Anyway will update later!

Isn’t it strange how different GP’s work.
The one I saw said as soon as she saw him that she would refer him so that he wouldn’t have any difficulties making different sounds and starting to talk.
Hopefully they hear your side, express your concerns and you can always get a second opinion. Good luck!

I wouldn't accept that. I'd insist. Politely. It often/can/nearly always does affect speech. Or rather, actually it doesn't even matter if it doesn't, it's your choice. And you want it. End of.

I'm a maxillofacial nurse and ime tongue ties have zero effect on speech and our consultants actually specify this in the consent.

If it’s a significant TT you will probably be able to see it yourself. Severe TT can cause speech issues

So GP couldn’t get a good look but wants to wait for the 1 year check up and see if HV can check, and then is happy to refer if needed. She seemed very relaxed about the lack of babbling and said it could come later on. I don’t know whether to feel better or I’ve been fobbed off. Either way, need to wait a few more weeks

"Speech - A tongue tie does not necessarily cause speech problems, but difficulty with co-ordination of tongue movements can cause unclear speech, especially when children start putting words together in sentences."

My 9 month old was born with TT and due to covid and he was feeding well they wouldn't snip it . The paediatric surgeon reassured me that if it did affect his speech when he's older it's never too late to get it done , like someone else said it would just have to be under general anaesthetic. She also said TT isn't a common reason for speech difficulties. Maybe for specific sounds ( when they can actually talk) but I wouldn't think it would be the reason for delayed babbling? As the baby would babble and whatever sound they make would still come out regardless of TT. What I'm trying to say is TT doesn't stop a baby making noises .

@Rubiales678 thank you, that is all really useful. The GP did talk about risk/ reward of snipping it at an older age. It if doesn’t affect speech then I have no desire to put him under GA :)
She was very relaxed about boys talking later than girls etc and as there are no other developmental concerns, I am happy to wait and hope he starts babbling soon.

@Redskyyy I know this is a very old post but wondering how you got on. My LO is making lots of noise but lacking consanats and also I have never seen him stick his tongue out. He was fine feeding but suffered badly with reflux. But is asleep so I can't look for a toe ATM and sat here stressing. Would love to know your outcome. TIA