Each of us is born with little strings of skin tissue, known as frenula, that attach the lip to the gum and the tongue to the floor of the mouth. However, sometimes the frenulum is either too thick, too tight, or both, which then restricts a person's lip and tongue movement. This is what’s known, respectively, as a lip-tie or tongue-tie. Lip and tongue ties are thought to be caused by genetic differences and will often run in families.

While these conditions can often be left well enough alone, they can sometimes cause issues when it comes to breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and even eating because the mobility of the lip or tongue is compromised.

Now, let’s imagine that your little one seems to be having some trouble breastfeeding or drinking from their bottle. Could this be caused by a lip tie?

How can I tell if my baby has a lip or tongue tie?

There are various signs that could indicate that your baby is having some difficulty breastfeeding because of a lip or tongue tie. These include:

Difficulty latching on to the nipple and maintaining a hold.

The upper lip appears to be tucked in or folded over.

Your baby becomes frustrated at the breast.

They often fall asleep while breastfeeding.

Their lips don’t spread out while breastfeeding.

Their weight gain is slow.

Colic.

Being sick straight after feeding.

Dribbling.

Wind and hiccups.

For a baby who is bottle-feeding, signs of a lip or tongue tie might include:

Only suck shallowly on their bottle.

The bottle of tea often falls out of their mouth.

It takes a long time to feed.

Their weight gain is slow.

They become frustrated and fussy during feeds.

Colic.

Being sick straight after feeding.

Dribbling.

Wind and hiccups.

Now, you may also be able to see a lip-tie by very gently lifting your baby’s upper lip. Most of us have a small membrane at the top of our gums that can be difficult to see, but if your baby’s frenulum is clearly visible, extends all the way to the gum line, and feels thick, it’s very possible they have a lip-tie. Tongue ties aren’t as easy to spot, but you may notice that their tongue is heart-shaped towards the tip.

Breastfeeding mothers may also experience some nipple pain during and after feeds, repeated bouts of mastitis, misshapen nipples post-feeds, and a low milk supply.

So, you suspect your tiny tot may have a lip or tongue tie; what are the next steps to take?

What should I do if I think my baby has a lip or tongue tie?

The first step is to see your midwife or a lactation expert so as to properly diagnose your baby’s condition, as it’s not something you yourself should diagnose. If your baby appears to feed without problems, there’s very little need for treatment. However, if they are struggling to latch on to the nipple or teat, your chosen health care professional may suggest having the lip or tongue tie released.

There is evidence to suggest the release of either a lip-tie or tongue-tie can have a positive effect on breastfeeding, but it’s something you and your midwife or doctor will need to discuss and come to a happy conclusion on. They may suggest that you first see a lactation expert because breastfeeding problems are rarely due to one cause alone.

But if a lip-tie or tongue-tie release is the proposed option, you may be wondering what exactly that means and looks like for your baby.

What is a lip-tie release?

The release of a lip or tongue tie is usually conducted by a doctor and typically won’t take very long. So your baby won’t need to stay in the hospital overnight. Your baby may be given some local anaesthesia, but this isn’t generally necessary, as the procedure is quick and painless for babies.

Your healthcare provider will then give you any necessary after-care instructions, including the preferred painkillers to relieve any soreness, though pain is generally minimal for this particular procedure.

If you are looking to give your baby some painkillers, make sure to speak to a medical professional, as some aren’t considered safe for infants.

What is a lip-tie in babies? And what is a tongue-tie?

From Unii’s Baby Health Journey, here’s what you should know about lip and tongue ties.