The effect of lip and tongue ties on breastfeeding

The effect of lip tie on breastfeeding

Lip tie is a band of thick tissue that connects the underside of the lip to the gums and restricts the normal movements of the lip.  Dr. Ghaheri wrote and explained the effect of upper lip tie on breastfeeding on his blog to the parents on March 6, 2014.   He wrote that the lip tie can affect the baby’s ability to flange the upper lip during breastfeeding:

·       “The shorter and tighter the frenulum the more uncomfortable it is for the baby to flange the lip outward. The baby would either pop off the breast completely or would briefly relax and latch off the breast. Mom would have to flip the lip upward and get the baby latch on repeatedly. ”

·       “Upper lip tie affects breastfeeding is based on muscle flexibility.   The muscle around the lip of an upper lip tie cannot be pushed up toward the nose. This puts an unnatural amount of tension on the muscle of the lip. The baby cannot and would not open widely if the lip is tense.”

The effect of tongue tie on breastfeeding

Tongue tie is a band of thick tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. Tongue tie restricts the movement of the tongue and causes problems for the baby to latch onto the mother’s breast during breastfeeding. Ultrasound studies have shown that the tongue movements of tongue tied babies are different from those without tongue ties. The studies showed that tongue tied babies had difficulty in achieving a good latch during breastfeeding.  They were not able to drain breast milk effectively from the breasts and caused nipple pain and damage.

Lip and tongue tied babies may exhibit some of these symptoms during breastfeeding:

·       Difficulty in achieving a good latch

·       Falls to sleep while attempting to nurse

·       Slides off the breast when attempting to latch

·       Reflux (clicking, swallowing air during nursing)

·       Gassiness, vomiting, spitting up

·       Poor weight gain

·       Short sleep episodes (feeding every 1-2 hours)

·       Milk leaking out sides of mouth during feedings

Mothers may exhibit some of these symptoms during breastfeeding with lip and tongue tied babies:

·       Painful latching of infant onto the breast

·       Gumming or chewing of the nipples

·       Bleeding, creased, cracked or blanching of nipples

·       Poor or incomplete breast drainage

·       Plugged ducts

·       Mastitis

·       Over or under supply of breast milk

These are some of the lip and tongue tied babies who are treated with laser frenectomy:

Baby Kathy

·       7 weeks old and parents wanted an evaluation of lip and tongue ties

·       History: baby had tongue tie frenectomy in the hospital before discharge. It appeared that only the anterior portion was clipped and had reattachment.

·       Baby symptoms: did not open mouth wide when latching, cupped tongue when crying, bubble palate, clicking, spitting up, fell asleep while attempting to nurse, short sleep episodes (feeding every 1-2 hours)

·       Mother’s symptoms: painful, cracked, pinched and blanched nipples, milk blebs, plugged ducts, poor breast drainage

·       Diagnosis: Lip and Tongue ties

·       Recommended treatment: laser lip and tongue tie frenectomy

·       Parents accepted recommended treatment

·       Instructed mom to perform aftercare and sucking exercises for 4 weeks

·       Parent and baby returned in one week for post treatment check up

·       Instructed mom to follow up with lactation consultant and body workers after the procedure to ensure optimal results.

1 week post treatment checkup:

·       Baby looked healthy and gained some weight

·       Both lip and tongue were healing nicely

·       Baby symptoms had improved; latching was deeper, feeding and sleeping longer and no more clicking and spitting up

·       Mom symptoms also improved; less nipple pain during breastfeeding, breast drainage got better, and mother had enough milk supply.

·        Baby had craniosacral therapy and mom reported that baby slept better.

Baby Alan

·       3 weeks old and parents wanted an evaluation of tongue tie

·       History: baby had infection in the hospital

·       Baby symptoms: shallow latching, fell asleep while attempting to nurse, slid off the breast when attempting to latch, fed every 2 hours, heavy, noisy breathing, snored, spit up 3x/day and leaked milk side of the mouth (sometimes)

·       Mom symptoms: painful latch, creased and flat nipples, clogged milk ducts, poor breast drainage, mastitis and on antibiotics

·       Diagnosis: Tongue tie

·       Recommended treatment: Laser tongue tie frenectomy

·       Parents accepted recommended treatment

·       Instructed mom to perform aftercare and sucking exercises for 4 weeks

·       Parent and baby returned in one week for post treatment check up

·       Instructed mom to follow up with lactation consultant and body workers after the procedure to ensure optimal results.

1 week post treatment checkup:

·       Baby looked healthy and gained some weight

·       Tongue was healing nicely

·       Baby symptoms had improved; baby was latching on better during breastfeeding, baby nursed about an hour per session (3 ½ oz.), baby slept afternoon and night time (3-4 hours before waking up for feeding).

·       Mom symptoms had improved; no nipple pain when breastfeeding, mastitis had resolved and no more blisters.

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora.  Lip and tongue ties may cause breastfeeding issues for some babies and mothers.  Dr. Lee is an experienced provider for baby lip and tongue tied frenectomy.  If you have questions about lip and tongue ties, please call for a consultation at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com