Breastfeeding a newborn baby is every mother's dream, and it is a wonderful experience. But sometimes, when your baby doesn't suckle properly, doesn't gain weight after drinking milk, and you also feel pain while breastfeeding, it can be very sad and scary, right? You may think, "Where did I go wrong?" Don't worry, it may not be you who is the cause. A small condition in the baby's mouth, that is, a 'Lip Tie', may be the cause of all this. Let's talk about this simply.
Simply put, what is this Lip Tie?
Lip Tie is a very simple thing. There is a small piece of tissue on the inside of your baby's upper lip that connects to the gum. This tissue (in medical terms, we call it a 'frenulum' ) can be a little short, thick, or tight in some babies.
Imagine, because this membrane is tight, the baby cannot lift his upper lip well, fold it outward, and open his mouth wide . To drink breast milk, the baby needs to take the dark area around the nipple (areola) well into his mouth. For that, he needs to be able to lift his upper lip well. When you have a lip tie, you can't do this properly.
Although the exact cause of this has not yet been found, some doctors believe that if it runs in families, it could be hereditary .
How do you know if you have a lip tie?
If you suspect your baby has a lip tie, be aware of the following symptoms. These can affect both your baby and you as a breastfeeding mother.
| Signs in the Baby | Signs for the Mother |
|---|---|
| Poor latch: Sucks with only the nipple in the mouth. Lips are folded inward rather than outward. | Severe pain: Excruciating pain, tingling, or burning sensation in the nipples while breastfeeding. |
| Making a 'click' sound: When sucking milk, the tongue makes a 'click, click' sound. This means that the sucker is lost halfway through. | Nipple damage: Cracked, sore, bleeding nipples, or a change in nipple shape (like a lipstick) after breastfeeding. |
| Cluster Feeding: The baby will continue to breastfeed for hours at a time because they are not full. | Breast problems: Breast swelling (engorgement), blocked milk ducts, or breast infection (mastitis). |
| Not gaining weight: Even if the baby drinks a lot of milk, he or she will not gain weight properly. | Milk supply problems: Low milk supply or sometimes excessive milk accumulation. |
| Jaundice: Some babies may continue to have jaundice due to not getting enough milk. | Mental exhaustion and lack of breastfeeding. |
If you or your baby have one or more of these symptoms, don't panic and first see your family doctor or pediatrician. They will properly examine the situation and give you the necessary advice.
How does the doctor check this?
A doctor can check this very simply. He or she will ask you about your breastfeeding habits, any problems you may have, and watch your baby suckle. Then, they will lift your baby's upper lip and check the position of that frenulum I mentioned earlier.
There are 4 main levels of severity of this condition:
- Level 1 – Mucosal (most common and least impactful level)
- Level 2 – Gingival (the membrane is attached to the gum line)
- Level 3 – Papil LAR y (the membrane is attached to the gum)
- Level 4 – Papilla penetrating (the most severe case, the membrane extends through the gums to the palate)
The doctor decides whether treatment is necessary or not based on this level.
Will there be problems later if it is not treated?
Some lip tie conditions may resolve on their own as the baby grows. However, severe lip tie, especially one that interferes with breastfeeding, can cause problems in the future if left untreated .
- Tooth Decay: Milk and food can get trapped in the small space between the upper lip and the front teeth, making it difficult to clean properly. This makes the upper teeth, especially the front two teeth, more susceptible to decay.
- Gap between teeth: A severe lip tie can cause a large gap between the two front teeth.
- Difficulty eating solid foods : As your baby gets older and starts eating solid foods, they may not be able to use their lips properly to scoop food from a spoon or move it around in their mouth. Some parents may think that their baby is a "picky eater," but this may actually be the cause.
Minor surgery for lip tie - Frenectomy
If a lip tie makes it very difficult for a baby to breastfeed, doctors may recommend a minor surgery. This is called a 'Frenectomy.' Don't be afraid to hear the name, it's a very simple and safe procedure that takes just a few minutes.
This surgery is usually performed by a dentist trained for this purpose.
1. First, a numbing liquid is applied to the gums so that the baby does not feel any pain.
2. Then, using a special laser beam or small medical scissors, the trapped membrane is cut slightly and released.
3. This takes a very short time, about 1-2 minutes.
As soon as the surgery is over, you can pick up your baby and breastfeed right there if you want. Some babies will latch on very easily and deeply right away. Others may need a day or two to get used to the new way of feeding.
The most important thing: After the surgery, the doctor will give you some special exercises (stretches). This means lifting the baby's upper lip several times a day and massaging the wound with a clean finger. This is essential, because if you don't, the cut membrane may stick back together.
Take-Home Message
- Lip tie is a common condition seen in babies. Don't worry about it.
- If you have pain while breastfeeding, your baby isn't gaining weight, or you're having trouble getting milk, don't ignore it. Be sure to see your doctor.
- A lip tie can be diagnosed with a very simple test. There are specialist doctors for that.
- If treatment is needed, Frenectomy surgery is very quick, simple, and safe.
- After surgery, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions, especially the 'stretches', to ensure that the wound heals well and the problem is completely resolved.
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