title: Breastfeeding Infants with Ankyloglossia: Insight into Mothers' Experiences.
abstract: Breastfeeding difficulty from ankyloglossia can affect both the mother and baby in a breastfeeding dyad. With renewed emphasis in today's culture on breast milk, mothers may feel increasing pressure to breastfeed, and the inability for some to do so may cause significant distress. Recently, online parenting forums have seen exponential growth; these forums allow mothers to connect with peers undergoing similar life transitions. The purpose of this study was to review online discussions regarding ankyloglossia to understand mothers' experiences with breastfeeding.
  
  
  
  We performed an ethnographic content analysis of 76 online threads and 501 posts regarding ankyloglossia based on six domains: (1) initial expectations, (2) breastfeeding complications, (3) questions, (4) diagnosis, (5) treatment, and (6) outcomes.
  
  
  
  About one-fourth of women who participated in online forum discussions had initial expectations to breastfeed, however, many found it impossible due to poor latch or pain. Concerns were frequently exacerbated by healthcare providers who reportedly missed or overlooked ankyloglossia. Although these complications made breastfeeding a challenging experience, mothers often described both subjective and physical improvements after frenotomy.
  
  
  
  Breastfeeding difficulty was a commonly voiced concern in online ankyloglossia forums. Forum analysis is an effective way to gain insight into patients' experiences, which allows providers to anticipate concerns and provides more effective counseling.
authors.affiliation: 1 Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: 1 Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Punam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: 2 Boston Medical Center , Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: 2 Boston Medical Center , Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Jessica R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Levi
mesh_terms: D000072676:Ankyloglossia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011340:Problem Solving; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Internet; ankyloglossia; breastfeeding; online discussion forums; tongue-tie