Welcoming a new baby brings joy and challenges, especially when feeding issues arise. Tongue-tie is a common condition affecting many newborns and infants, often causing frustration during feeding time.
This tight tissue restricts tongue movement, making sucking and swallowing more difficult than it should be.
Many parents worry when they find their baby has tongue-tie, fearing it will impact proper nutrition and development.
However, with the right approach and appropriate feeding equipment, these challenges can be successfully managed. The good news is that specially designed bottles can significantly improve the feeding of tongue-tied babies.
This guide explores the best bottles for tongue-tied babies, their unique features, and how they can change feeding time into a more comfortable experience for both baby and parent.
What Does Tongue-Tied Mean in Babies?
Tongue-tie, also called ankyloglossia, is when the strip of tissue, also called frenulum, connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter or tighter than normal. This restricts tongue movement and can make it difficult for babies to feed properly.
In normal development, a baby’s tongue can move freely to suck, swallow, and latch. With a tongue-tie, this movement is limited. The condition ranges from mild to severe, depending on how much the tongue’s movement is restricted.
While tongue-tie sounds concerning, it’s important to know that it’s relatively common and not harmful to overall health. However, it can create feeding challenges for the baby, affecting in providing of nutrition to babies.
How Tongue Tie Affects Bottle Feeding
Tongue-tie can create several challenges during bottle feeding, making what should be a simple process more difficult for both babies and parents.
- Difficulty creating a proper seal around the nipple, leading to milk leakage
- Poor suction that makes it harder to get milk from the bottle
- Increased air intake during feeding, causing more gas and discomfort
- Longer feeding times as babies work harder to get enough milk
- Frustration and fussiness during feeding due to difficulties
- Clicking sounds while feeding, indicating trouble maintaining suction
- Weight gain concerns if feeding efficiency is significantly impacted
With the right bottle and feeding techniques, many of these challenges can be managed effectively while waiting for medical intervention or if surgery isn’t needed.
Can Special Bottles Help with Tongue Ties?
Special bottles can make feeding easier for tongue-tied babies. They feature designs that work with limited tongue movement, helping babies feed efficiently despite restrictions.
These bottles typically have specially shaped nipples, anti-colic features, and easier flow control.
While they don’t replace medical treatment, the right bottle can reduce frustration and feeding difficulties while ensuring babies get proper nutrition.
Benefits of Special Bottles Over Normal Bottles
- Specially designed nipples that require less tongue movement to create suction
- Anti-colic features that reduce air intake during difficult feeding
- Nipple shapes that are easier for tongue-tied babies to latch onto properly
- Flow control options that can be adjusted as baby develops new feeding skills
- More comfortable feeding experience, leading to less frustration for baby and parent
Best Bottles for Tongue-Tied Babies
Here are some bottles recommended by pediatrics for babies with tongue-tied conditions, with pricing and availability.
1. Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow Baby Bottle
- Key features: Features a narrow nipple base for easier latching, an anti-colic vent system to reduce air intake, and a slow-flow nipple to help control milk flow, making it ideal for tongue-tied babies who struggle with suction.
- Price and availability: Approximately $10.87 for a pack of 2, widely available at retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
2. Comotomo Baby Bottle
- Key features: It is made of soft, squeezable silicone with a wide, breast-like nipple to mimic natural feeding, dual anti-colic vents to minimize air swallowing, and a design that supports a deep latch for tongue-tied infants.
- Price and availability: Bottles cost around $13-$15, and they are available on Amazon, BuyBuy Baby, and the Comotomo website.
3. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle
- Key features: Offers a wide, flexible nipple designed to promote a natural latch, an anti-colic valve to reduce gas and discomfort, and slow-flow options suitable for tongue-tied babies needing controlled milk delivery.
- Price and availability: The bottles are priced at $8-$12 per bottle and can be found at Amazon, Target, and Philips’ official site.
4. MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle
- Key features: Includes a unique flat, orthodontic nipple shape for easier latching, a vented base to prevent air ingestion, and a medium-flow option that adapts to the needs of tongue-tied babies transitioning from breast to bottle.
- Price and availability: It costs about $10-$14 and is available at Amazon, Walmart, and MAM’s website.
5. Lansinoh Baby Bottle for Breastfeeding
- Key features: Designed with a soft, natural-wave nipple to encourage proper tongue movement, an air ventilation system to reduce colic, and a slow-flow rate to support tongue-tied babies in managing milk intake effectively.
- Price and availability: They cost approximately $20 for a pack of 3 and are sold at Amazon, Target, and Lansinoh’s online store.
6. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle
- Key features: Features a soft, wide nipple designed to mimic the breast, an anti-colic valve to reduce air intake, and a slow-flow option that helps tongue-tied babies feed comfortably.
- Price and availability: The bottle costs around $7-$9 and is available at Amazon, Walmart, and Tommee Tippee’s website.
7. NUK Simply Natural Bottle
- Key features: Offers a wide nipple with multiple holes to simulate breastfeeding, an anti-colic air system, and a design that supports proper tongue positioning for tongue-tied infants.
- Price and availability: The set of 11 pieces is $39.99 and can be found at Amazon, Target, and NUK’s official store.
Things to Look for In Bottles for Tongue-Tied Babies
When choosing a bottle for a tongue-tied baby, certain features can make feeding time much more successful and comfortable.
- Wide-based, soft silicone nipples that require less tongue movement
- Slow-flow nipples that give baby more control over milk flow
- Anti-colic vents or systems to reduce excess air intake
- Bottles with angled necks that help keep milk in the nipple
- Easy-to-clean designs since you’ll be using these bottles frequently
- Nipples that mimic the breast shape for babies who also breastfeed
Additional Tips While Chossing Baby Bottle
- Try different nipple shapes until you find what works best for your baby
- Consider bottle temperature – some babies with tongue-tie prefer warmer milk
- Take frequent breaks during feeding to prevent frustration
- Watch for signs that the current bottle isn’t working (excessive drooling, long feeding times)
- Consult with a feeding specialist who understands tongue-tie challenges
The Bottom Line
Finding the right bottle for a tongue-tied baby can change feeding time from frustrating to fulfilling. While tongue-tie presents challenges, specialized bottles can help babies get the nutrition they need while staying comfortable.
Remember that each baby is unique, so what works for one might not work for another.
The challenge might include some trial and error, but with specialized bottles designed for tongue-tied babies, you can feel confident that they’re providing the best possible feeding experience.
With patience and the right equipment, feeding a tongue-tied baby can become much easier for everyone involved.
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