When your baby struggles with feeding or you experience pain while breastfeeding, tongue ties and lip ties might be the cause. These conditions affect about 5-10% of newborns and can make feeding difficult for both babies and parents. Understanding what these conditions are and how they’re treated can help you make the right decisions for your child’s health.
What Are Tongue Ties and Lip Ties?
Every baby is born with tissue under their tongue called the lingual frenulum. This tissue normally allows the tongue to move freely for eating, speaking, and breathing. During pregnancy, around week 8, the tongue begins to separate from the floor of the mouth. Sometimes this process doesn’t happen completely, leaving the tongue attached too tightly. This is called a tongue tie or ankyloglossia.
Lip ties work similarly. The labial frenulum is the tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums between the front teeth. When this tissue is too tight or thick, it can prevent the upper lip from moving properly. About 90% of babies are born with this tissue attached to the lower edge of the gum line, which is completely normal. Problems only occur when the tissue restricts movement.
Both conditions run in families, so if you or your partner had feeding difficulties as a baby, your child might too. The key difference between normal tissue and a tie is whether it limits function. Just seeing tissue under the tongue or lip doesn’t mean your baby has a tie.
How Tongue Ties Affect Feeding
Babies need their tongues to move in specific ways to feed properly. The front part of the tongue draws in and cups the breast tissue, while the back part creates suction to remove milk. When a tongue tie prevents this movement, several problems can happen.
Your baby might not be able to latch deeply onto the breast, causing pain and damage to your nipples. The latch might feel uncomfortable, and your baby may stay attached for long periods without getting enough milk. Some babies make clicking sounds during feeding, which means they’re losing suction repeatedly.
When babies can’t maintain a good seal, milk often spills out the sides of their mouth. They might swallow extra air, leading to gas, reflux, and fussiness. These babies often seem hungry all the time because they’re not getting enough milk during feeds.
How Lip Ties Impact Feeding
Lip ties cause different but related problems. The upper lip should form a gentle seal around the breast or bottle nipple. When a tight frenulum prevents this seal, babies take in more air during feeding. This extra air can cause reflux, gas pain, and discomfort.
For breastfeeding mothers, a tight upper lip can cause breast pain because the baby can’t maintain a proper latch. As children get older, lip ties can make it hard to drink from straws or clear food from spoons.
Signs Your Baby Might Have a Tie
Babies with tongue or lip ties often show similar symptoms. They might make clicking noises during feeds or take very long to finish eating. Many seem exhausted after feeding because they’re working so hard to get milk.
You might notice milk leaking from the sides of your baby’s mouth even when they seem to be latched well. Some babies cough or gag during feeds because their tongue movements aren’t coordinated properly. Sleep problems are common too – babies might snore, breathe through their mouth, or wake up frequently.
For mothers, the signs often include nipple pain and damage from shallow latching. Feeds might take much longer than expected, and you might develop plugged ducts or mastitis because your baby isn’t draining your breasts completely. Some mothers notice their milk supply decreasing because inefficient feeds don’t signal the body to make more milk.
Why Tongue Position Matters for Breathing and Development
The tongue does more than help with feeding. When we’re not eating or talking, our tongues should rest against the roof of our mouth. This position helps direct airflow through the nose instead of the mouth. Breathing through the nose filters and warms the air, making it better for our lungs.
Tongue ties pull the tongue down toward the floor of the mouth, making it hard to achieve this proper resting position. Children who can’t rest their tongues properly might develop mouth breathing habits, which can lead to snoring and poor sleep.
The tongue also helps guide how the upper jaw grows. When the tongue rests against the roof of the mouth, it provides gentle pressure that helps the jaw develop properly. Children with untreated tongue ties might develop narrow palates or other growth issues that affect their teeth and breathing later in life.
Getting the Right Diagnosis
Not every feeding problem is caused by a tie. Many factors can make feeding difficult, so it’s important to work with the right specialists. Before considering surgery, babies should be evaluated by a lactation consultant or feeding specialist who understands infant oral development.
Lactation consultants help with milk supply, positioning, and feeding techniques. Some speech therapists and occupational therapists have special training in infant feeding and can assess oral strength and coordination. These professionals can help figure out if a tie is causing the problems or if other issues need attention.
There are four levels of lip ties, from class one (mild) to class four (severe). Only trained providers can properly assess which ties need treatment and which are just normal variations.
Treatment Options: Laser Surgery
When ties do need treatment, a procedure called a frenectomy can help. This minor surgery removes the tight tissue to allow better movement. Modern treatment uses laser technology, which offers several advantages over older methods.
Laser surgery is much more precise than scissors or scalpels. The laser cuts exactly where needed while sealing blood vessels and sterilizing the area. This means less bleeding, lower infection risk, and faster healing. The procedure typically takes 5-10 minutes, making it easier for young children.
Most babies feel very little pain during laser surgery. No stitches are needed, and many babies can nurse immediately after the procedure. Some babies even show improvement right away, though others might need time to learn new movement patterns.
Recovery and Follow-up Care
After surgery, some babies adapt quickly to their new tongue or lip mobility. Others benefit from working with feeding specialists to learn how to use their improved range of motion. This might include exercises to strengthen the tongue or techniques to improve coordination.
Some families find that bodywork helps too. Pediatric chiropractors, osteopaths, or massage therapists can help release tension that built up while the baby was compensating for the tie. This type of therapy can improve comfort, sleep, and feeding patterns.
Physical or occupational therapy might help if the baby has other movement or sensory issues. Each child is different, so the amount of follow-up care needed varies.
Long-term Benefits of Treatment
Children who get treatment for ties often see improvements in many areas. Eating becomes easier and more efficient. As they grow, they have fewer problems with dental hygiene because they can move their lips and tongue properly for brushing and flossing.
Speech development often improves too. Children with untreated ties might have trouble making certain sounds or speaking clearly. Treatment can prevent these problems or make speech therapy more effective.
Dental alignment benefits as well. Lip ties can cause gaps between the front teeth because the tight tissue prevents proper tooth positioning. Early treatment can prevent these spacing issues and reduce the need for extensive orthodontic work later.
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
If you’re experiencing feeding difficulties or your baby shows signs of a tie, don’t wait to seek help. Early evaluation and treatment can prevent many problems and improve your family’s quality of life. Working with experienced providers who understand both the anatomy and the functional aspects of these conditions gives you the best chance of success.
Remember that every baby is different. What works for one family might not be right for another. The goal is to find solutions that help your baby feed comfortably and develop properly while supporting your breastfeeding goals.
If you’re concerned about possible tongue or lip ties in your baby, Dentists of Hinsdale Lake can help. Our team understands the complex relationship between oral anatomy and feeding function. We use advanced laser technology to provide gentle, effective treatment when needed. Call us at (630) 323-5333 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can support your family’s oral health journey.