After a Laser Lip Tie Procedure

After a lip or tongue-tie procedure is completed to release your baby’s tie(s), there is more work to be done. “It may seem complicated and stressful in order to help your baby stretch out their tongue or lip, but stretching is the key to success after the laser procedure,” says Dr. Judy Strutz.  The stretches should be done consistently for four weeks, more consistently at first and tapered off by the end of the fourth week. There may be some bleeding and discomfort for your baby after the stretches. That is normal, but if you see excessive bleeding or the bleeding does not stop, contact Dr. Strutz and her team.

When your baby has had a laser surgery procedure to remove a tie on the upper lip, you will begin the stretching routine the evening after the surgery. You’ll want to go no more than six hours between stretching because oral wounds heal very quickly.

Place your finger under the upper lip and move it up until you hit resistance. Then move the lip back and forth gently a few times. This can hurt, and you may need to use baby Tylenol in order to help afterwards. This should only take 1-2 seconds.  In order to be effective in the stretching you want to make sure you get between the gum and the lip to avoid them sticking together. Make the stretching routine a game complete with a song or some humming and the process is less stressful for both parent and child.

For more information, or for information on the stretches for the tongue, contact Dr. Strutz and her team today.

How Do I Know If My Baby Requires Tongue-Tie Surgery

Frena is the membranous fold that attaches and restricts the movement of a muscle. In the mouth there are two frena. The plural form of frena is frenum. The first one is located between the inside of the upper lip and the gums. If you slide your tongue up, you can feel the thick piece of skin. While the thickness varies among individuals it should not be between the two front teeth or restrict the tongue from moving back and forward in the mouth. 

The bottom frena should allow free movement of the tongue up and down and should not cause any pain when you move it around.

When your baby is born, you may notice that the frena is thicker and restricts movement, “This is referred to as being tongue-tied,” says Dr. Judith Strutz. This is one sign that may require surgery. While surgery sounds scary for a baby, lasers make this procedure safe and can help to ensure that breastfeeding is successful.

If your baby is struggling to latch onto the nipple during breastfeeding, causing pain and lack of a proper suction you may want to look in their mouth. The frenum should not restrict tongue movement. Your baby should be able to freely move the tongue towards the back of the throat and roof of the mouth.

Contact Dr. Strutzand her team today for more information.