More about Upper Lip Ties

Stacie Bingham Doula and Childbirth Services

More about Upper Lip Ties

3/19/2014

Did you know upper-lip ties are frequently present when there is a tongue tie? And either or both may make breastfeeding difficult? If you suspect a tongue-tie, flip the lip! The presence of a thick labial frenulum could indicate the need to check under the tongue.

-For real-life help, contact an IBCLC in your area who has experience with lip and tongue restrictions, for a thorough history and assessment.
-Want virtual support and help? Visit Tongue Tie Babies Support Group.
-To see how upper lip ties look, check out Dr. Kotlow's handy chart (scroll to page 22).
-Don't miss Dr. Ghaheri's excellent article explaining how upper lip ties can affect breastfeeding.

8 Comments

GeriJo link

3/19/2014 07:59:00 pm

As a mother of an infant with a revised lip and tongue tie I have found that many moms have questions for those of us who have been through it. It is easy enough to find photos of tongue ties but it is hard for some to figure out what is wrong when they don't know what an "untied" or "normal" mouth looks like. I think that it would be beneficial to post some "normal" mouth photos as well as some post revision "what it should look like when it's done" photos along with the pics of ties so that moms know what they are looking at.

Stacie

3/21/2014 10:19:27 am

That is a great idea! I will see what we can do! One thing to keep in mind is, the way it looks doesn't define if it is a "tie" as the function plays a huge part in things, and sometimes the function works well when the appearance looks bad, and vice versa. But I think that is a great idea, so show "untied" mouths.

Melissa

3/20/2014 01:38:01 am

I have a one month old son. My fiance and I have noticed that he has an upper lip tie that I believe is affecting his latch to nurse, I asked his Dr. about it, and she tried convicing me that his lip tie has absolutely nothing to do with his latch. But as a mother, I know its affecting it. Due to him getting frustrated with nursing, we now try to nurse him as well as bottle fed. Im going to push to have it corrected.

lisa

3/20/2014 03:15:26 am

talk to local dentists. or ask your dr for a referral to one so it's covered under insurance.. its' super fast and easy. LO will bleed for just a few minutes andyou can nurse immediately afterward. I did this with my daughter and I noticed an immediate improvement.

talia

3/20/2014 07:40:54 am

Try pointong your nipple down so baby gets more of the top areola. (Tjis was advised by a lbc for my newborn daughter's ties - huge difference)

Stacie

3/21/2014 10:21:57 am

Have you tried laid-back breastfeeding? That can often help babies get more breast tissue to nurse. And Tongue Tie Babies Support Group has a list of providers who will treat lips -- you may find someone near-ish to you? http://www.llli.org/docs/0000000000000001WAB/WAB_Tear_sheet_Toolkit/01_laid_back_breastfeeding.pdf

Joy

3/20/2014 03:04:24 am

Melissa, one thing to help get a better latch until the lip-tie is fixed is to pull your baby's upper lip up just a little so it can flare out rather than curl under. My youngest has a lip-tie and that was enough to give him a good latch.

3/21/2014 04:20:35 am

My son was not tongue tied but just didn't know how to move his tongue forward. 5 days in NICU before we got a nurse who showed us how to train his tongue by letting him suck on my baby finger and teasing his tongue forward.

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Stacie Bingham, LCCE, CD(DONA), CBS(LER)

Calm, comfortable Lamaze education & experienced support for pregnancy, birth, & breastfeeding serving Bakersfield, Delano, Hanford, Porterville, Tehachapi, Tulare, Visalia + the World

661.446.4532 stacie.bing@gmail.com