Do “exercises” have to be done on babies?
The baby still needs to learn how to use the tongue optimally. It is therefore advisable to do stimulate more movements by exercises.
The Tongue Tie Clinic has the following videos with possible exercises:
and this video for training a good tongue rest position against the palate:
Do not immediately expect the baby to understand what he can do with his tongue, sometimes it takes a few weeks for results. Keep short nails and clean fingers, you can use a medical glove or finger condom (these are not necessary). A cold finger could be more pleasant for your child. Anesthetic gel (teething gel) can also be used to make wound aftercare more comfortable for the baby:
The video https://vimeo.com/55658345 takes 3 minutes and can also serve as an example for young babies. The following video is also available for older babies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Io3Ush-S4.
Make it a fun game, sing or chat with the baby. Do not immediately expect the baby to understand what he can do with his tongue, sometimes it takes a few weeks to see results.
Short sequence of exercises in the video:
1: Massage palate (rubbing palate)
2: Suck finger, pull it a little so that he tries to hold on even more tightly (“tug of war” game)
3: Middle tongue rub, finger out to stimulate “cupping”, holding the nipple in the mouth.
4: Massage the jaws, as if the teeth are being brushed with the tip of the finger, to stimulate the movements to the side, because the tongue wants to follow the finger.
- Touch the chin, tip of the nose, upper lip to stimulate wide opening of the mouth.
6: Stretching / lifting lip and tongue and rubbing the wounds, on the video you can see how she turns her finger into a “rolling pin” (rolling pin).
Further guidance and help with drinking, eating or talking:
The Lactation Consultant can help with breastfeeding, in addition the Pre-verbal Speech Therapist for bottlefeeding and learning to eat solids. For the older children the speech therapist who is specialised in oromyofunctional therapy (OMFT).
