Lip Tie & Tongue Tie Laser Revision
A new baby with ankyloglossia (tongue tie) and/or lip adhesion (lip tie) may have trouble with nursing. If you are nursing your baby and experiencing significant pain and/or your baby has difficulty latching on, you should have your child evaluated for possible lip and/or tongue tie. Often overlooked, lip and/or tongue tie can be an underlying cause of feeding problems that can affect a baby’s weight gain and be the root cause of a multitude of other symptoms and conditions that often results with the mother giving up on breast feeding.
Symptoms associated with lip and/or tongue tie:
BABY
- poor latch
- falls asleep while attempting to nurse
- slides off nipple when attempting to latch
- clicking or gulping sounds while nursing
- reflux symptoms
- colic symptoms
- poor weight gain
- short sleep episodes requiring feeding every 2 to 3 hours
- unable to hold a pacifier in mouth
- gumming or chewing of your nipple when nursing
MOTHER
- bleeding nipples
- cracked, bruised, or blistered nipples
- severe pain when your baby attempts to latch
- poor/incomplete breast drainage
- plugged ducts
- mastitis or nipple thrush
One or more of any of the above symptoms warrants evaluation of your baby by an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Should you need a referral for a lactation consultant, we can provide you with one. Their involvement and support, BEFORE and AFTER revision (tie release), is essential. If the lactation consultant believes your baby’s lip and or tongue may be a problem, the next step is to consult with one of our pediatric dentists to determine if your baby is a candidate for revision.
A revision by way of LASER frenotomy is performed to “release” or free the lip and/or tongue allowing for greater movement by these structures. The result is hopefully improved nursing health for you and your baby. Please contact us to discuss this treatment option in greater detail.
