A lip tie is a medical condition that occurs when the skin of the upper lip is attached to the gums in a way that prevents lip movement and makes breastfeeding difficult for babies. The tissue connecting the upper gum and the upper lip is called the frenulum, and it is important for normal oral functioning. When a newborn lip tie occurs, the frenulum can become excessively tight, restricting the babys ability to open their mouth as wide as they should. Here are some key points about lip ties in babies:
-
Causes: Lip ties can be inherited, caused by tongue-tie or frenulum tie, or due to trauma during birth.
-
Symptoms: Signs of a lip tie include difficulty latching, making a clicking sound during breastfeeding, spitting milk out or choking on milk, feeding with high frequency, and tooth decay.
-
Diagnosis: A medical professional will evaluate the babys ability to latch deep enough for effective feeding, check if the baby makes a clicking sound during breastfeeding, and look for signs of a lip tie.
-
Treatment: Treatment options for lip ties include a simple surgical procedure called a tight-tissue release or frenectomy, which severs the tissue connecting the lip to the gums. However, some lip ties do not impact function and do not require surgical treatment.
-
Complications: If left untreated, lip ties can lead to poor nutrition, tooth decay, speech problems, sleep apnea, and problems chewing and swallowing food.
It is important to note that lip ties must be diagnosed by a medical professional, and treatment should be discussed with a pediatrician or lactation consultant.
