Dem Tongue Tissues are connected to Dem Toes

What have tongues got to do with bones? More than you might imagine – especially when it comes to connections.

The children’s song ‘dem bones, dem bones’ is a fun way to teach children how the bones of the skeleton are connected (try this version for size)

Similarly, when we think about a baby’s tongue, it also has an amazing network of connections, which is one reason why careful assessment of tongue tie restrictions is important to help improve feeding and general function in a little one.

Correct tongue movement is important not just in infancy, but throughout life. 

From birth, your tongue is connected to your toes through a network of connective tissue known as fascia (see the picture for illustration).

If your tongue is not resting correctly in your mouth, for example due to mouth breathing, structures can get out of alignment in your mouth and impact the rest of your body.

Tongue posture can lead to a foot imbalance and vice versa because the tongue guides all myofascial structures that run from the inner arch of the foot up through the middle of the body to the tongue and jaw muscles.

When the tongue sits on top of the palate, it seals the oral cavity and holds the throat open like a tent. These muscles support the neck, keep your posture straight, help you breathe, and maintain your posture upright.

Your tongue also acts as a rudder and support system through a fascial line, and when the tongue is down, you breathe through your mouth, and the head falls forward due to lack of support, which leads to poor posture and increased energy expenditure. Without support we can develop ‘snoring’ and potentially have symptoms of sleep apnea.

So, getting a tongue tie check in a baby is important for infant feeding, and long term structural health.

For further help and details about babies and tongue ties, refer to our blog Has your baby been checked for tongue tie?

The Qudo soother helps babies to strengthen and coordinate their suck, swallow and breathing reflex. The density of the teat encourages strong and effective sucking which in turn helps babies pre and post tongue tie revision – reported benefits include improved feeding and contentment when a baby wants to suck but is not hungry.

Here’s to tongue movement and balanced posture.

With much love,

The Qudo Team