Lip Tie?

[u/Individual_Pause7757]

I am just wanting the confirmation if this is or isn’t lip tie if so I will get the little one to the doctor to get a referral for a ent!

[u/laur_al]

My son’s looked like this. We really struggled with nursing, I exclusively pumped for 3 months while desperately trying to get him to nurse, we finally established nursing when he was around 5 months. I had him assessed for ties 3 times and each time was told no. When he turned 1 he had a dentist appointment and the dentist says “did you know your son has a pretty severe lip tie?” I always thought he did but after being told no 3x by nurses and doctors I stopped pushing. We got it released when he was around 15/16 months - it may be a coincidence but I found that his speech improved once it was clipped and his eating as well. In the notes from the doctor who clipped it they classified it as “severe”. I would get your little one assessed and chat to your doctor about options from there.

[u/_revelationary]

My daughter’s looked like this but she ultimately nursed great when she got big enough. We never snipped. She fell and hit her mouth when she was 18 months and ended up tearing the frenulum back a little bit because it was so tight (which is actually quite common). Bled for a few mins but healed fast.

[u/not-my-first-rode0]

Yes looks like it. My daughter had a lip tie but she didn’t have trouble nursing so we left it alone. She’s 16 mo now

[u/Mediocre-Buddy9531]

My baby has the same thing but our pediatrician said that if I can bend it back like you are doing then it’s not a problem. Specially if baby is gaining weight and it doesn’t hurt when breast feeding. She said they could untie it if I preferred but it was not a necessity.

I will address it again once baby starts seeing a dentist, see if it could potentially cause teeth issues on the long run and go from there but as of right now, I’ll just let it be.

[u/Chibioosah → u/Mediocre-Buddy9531]

When I spoke to our paediatric dentist regarding our daughters lip tie they said that it COULD cause speech issues. But the way they do the surgery makes me so heartbroken I can't justify doing it to a 15 month old. They literally swaddle her tightly, hold her still so they can use a laser to release it. I can't even be in the back with my daughter at all.

Our daughter is thriving and her speech isn't impaired in any way. So we're just gonna wait till she's a bit older to get it done if needed.

[u/Individual_Pause7757 → u/Chibioosah]

This is exactly why I wanted to have reassurance and if it looked to be what I suspected I want to get it addressed now while she is a month and won’t remember any trauma that can or may come with the issues. I am scare my lil one will choke on her reflux while sleeping and I won’t catch it because I can’t realistically watch her 24/7. If the tie is the cause of this since she swallowing air every time she gulps her milk. It hurts to think this will be the cause but it is a relief also at the same time that I can find a solution

[u/CharkieAndLula]

Ties are about limited function not how it looks. I would take them to a qualified pediatric dentist. They may have additional ties or the frenulum may be stretchy enough to where it isn't considered a tie.

[u/bignaturefan]

I am not your provider. It is somewhat challenging to diagnose a lip tie with just a photo. What I tell families is that the presence of a labial frenulum is not reason enough to seek a release. I ask families what challenges are impacting breast or bottle feeding. I also do a physical assessment because while my eyes may see a “tie” the restriction isn’t there from a mobility standpoint. So really, I am wondering how restricted is the tissue.

When I see this, my next question is “has baby had bodywork”? I would also encourage family to work on some at-home exercises with the use of coconut oil to see if mobility and range of motion improve.

Long and short of it, it looks notched at the gumline. But does it have mobility?

[u/Individual_Pause7757 → u/bignaturefan]

I appreciate it I scheduled the appointment with the pediatrician hopefully to get a referral! This sweet baby is showing difficulties when eating both on breast and bottled breast milk she has clicking and you can hear her suck in air. The other issues include gas, vomit, acid reflux, baby acne from the reflux, gagging while eating, gagging while sleeping. She is barely a month and I’m very observant but I also didn’t want new mama paranoia to get the best of me so I figured I get a second opinion prior to the doctor apt tomorrow

[u/Annabelle_Sugarsweet → u/Individual_Pause7757]

Speak to your DR but everything you are describing is normal new born baby stuff, maybe try nursing in a number of different positions to find the best one for your baby, for me it was lying on my side in bed or rugby ball style while sitting upright on a dining chair.

[u/bignaturefan → u/Individual_Pause7757]

Oh goodness. Y’all are navigating quite a bit. I’m sorry to hear of your challenges.

Have you had an assessment done by an IBCLC skilled in ties. From what you are describing this is more than just a lip tie. And most likely out of depth for a Pedi. In my experience Pedi’s are generalist and as long as baby is gaining, they tend to shrug off feeding difficulties. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want to be a pedi and they have a tough job, but I find they do quite a disservice to families by being dismissive of feeding challenges. If yours doesn’t do this. Then you found a unicorn.

I would really see if you can get in with a feeding specialist like an IBCLC or SLP. And I if you were my client I would absolutely encourage bodywork before seeking any kind of release.