I love kindergarten rules… but sometimes I really want to break the one that says “Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.”
“Oh, your baby has reflux?” My hand twitches a bit as I force it to stay by my side.
“You’re struggling with low milk supply?” I put my hand in my pocket . . . it can’t be trusted.
“Your baby is waking every two hours to nurse at six months old?” At this point the urge is so strong I use my other hand to slap myself.
What do I want to do? Check for a tongue / lip tie, of course! They can be such a source of SO. MUCH. MISERY. for nursing mamas and their sweet babes, including me.
Unfortunately, the symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other conditions like colic, reflux, and failure to thrive because many pediatricians and lactation do not know how to properly identify them. Since writing about this subject three years ago I cannot count the number of messages I have received that said, “My pedi said there was nothing wrong so we suffered for months, then we got a second opinion and discovered a severe tie!”
Fortunately, Word Is Getting Out
While I was in New York getting Levi’s ties revised last month, Dr. Kotlow informed me that he gets at least one family per week who heard about him here. (If you’re not familiar with him, Dr. Kotlow is considered the foremost expert on tongue/lip ties in the United States.)
Where are all these people hearing about my story? From YOU. Thank you for sharing my posts and helping get the word out – you have changed more lives than you know!
In this post I’m going to share with you some new tips Dr. K showed me for identifying tongue and lip ties at home, plus I’ll share the #1 critical mistake they make when assessing a tie.
Bottom line: If you’re a mama and you suspect a problem there probably is one. Tongue ties are not just about structure, they’re about function, and there is no one more qualified than you to determine if a baby’s latch feels “off.” Of course, these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. I’m simply saying that a mama’s sense should be trusted, so if your gut says something is off and a home exam gives you reason to believe a tie might be an issue, find an informed care provider that will take your concerns seriously.
Now let’s get started!
Tongue and lip ties can cause difficulties when breastfeeding and speaking, and can lead to speech impediments and other issues later in life. At Colorado Tongue Tie, Dr. Jesse specializes in diagnosing and treating tongue and lip ties.
If you think that your infant or toddler may have a tongue or lip tie, it’s easy to check for them on your own. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can recognize if your baby may have one of these conditions:
What Are Tongue And Lip Ties?
To understand what you’re looking for, you must first understand the basics about tongue and lip ties. Medically, this condition is usually known as “Tethered Oral Tissue”. Tongue ties are also referred to as “Ankyloglossia”.
Tongue and lip ties are caused by thick or malformed oral tissues. Tongue ties are caused when the lingual frenulum (the membrane which connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is thick, short, or otherwise malformed.
Lip ties are, essentially, the same thing. This condition occurs when the frenulum which connects the upper or lower lip to the gums is thick, too short, or is otherwise improperly formed, causing mobility issues with the lips.
Checking For Tongue And Lip Ties
If you believe your baby may have one of these conditions, here are a few steps you can take to diagnose the issue.
- Look for issues when nursing – Tongue and lip ties usually make it difficult for your child to latch properly onto the nipple when breastfeeding. Look for symptoms such as an inability to properly nurse, clicking noises while the baby is suckling, excessive drooling, poor weight gain, or “gumming” and chewing of the nipple when feeding. These are all potential signs of tongue and lip ties.
- Examine the tongue or lip – Lay your baby down on your knees, facing you. Run your finger under their tongue. Does this membrane feel short, strong, or excessively thick? A normal tongue will allow for a smooth and uninterrupted swipe underneath the frenulum.
Your child’s tongue may also appear “short”, because they cannot stick it out properly, due to the excessive tissue.Checking the lip is also quite simple. With your child in the same position, “flip” the upper or lower lip open, and feel for any resistance which could be caused by lip ties. Look at the small band of tissue that connects the lips to the gums. It should be quite thin and pliable. If it looks thick, it seems too short, or if the lip is difficult to move, lip ties may be present.
- Get a professional opinion – While examining your child for lip and tongue ties is a good place to start for a diagnosis, a professional examination from a qualified doctor like Dr. Jesse is required to determine the proper treatment method for your child. Come to Colorado Tongue Tie right away for a diagnosis!
Know How To Recognize Tongue And Lip Ties
If your child is experiencing feeding difficulties, or has any of the other above symptoms of tongue and lip ties, come to Colorado Tongue Tie. Dr. Jesse is an expert at working with babies and infants, and he can help diagnose and treat your child, to ensure that their tongue or lip ties are removed, and that they will be able to feed and speak normally.
Learn more from our patient testimonials now, or contact us today at (720) 507-0077 to schedule your visit. You can also bring your child to our office at 4704 Harlan St., Denver, Colorado 80212 for an appointment.
