As a parent, there is nothing more exciting than meeting your little one for the first time. You spend months preparing the nursery, picking out names, and reading every book you can get your hands on. However, one challenge that many new parents face—but rarely expect—is difficulty with feeding. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, seeing your baby struggle to eat can be heartbreaking and stressful. I am Dr. Sepehr Nassiripour, and in my practice, I have helped countless families navigate these early hurdles.
Often, the culprit behind these feeding struggles is something called a tongue-tie or a lip-tie. These are common anatomical conditions that can restrict the movement of your baby’s mouth. While it might sound scary at first, the good news is that we have modern, gentle solutions to help your baby thrive. Today, I want to guide you through everything you need to know about these tissues, the signs to look for, and how a laser frenectomy baby procedure can make a world of difference.
Understanding the Basics: What Are Tongue-Ties and Lip-Ties?
Before we dive into symptoms, let’s talk about anatomy. Everyone has a piece of tissue called a frenum (or frenulum). You have one under your tongue that connects it to the floor of your mouth, and you have one inside your upper lip that connects the lip to your gums.
In some babies, this tissue is too short, too thick, or too tight. When this happens under the tongue, we call it a tongue-tie (medically known as ankyloglossia). When it happens under the upper lip, it is a lip-tie.
Think of it like trying to run a race with your shoelaces tied together. You might still be able to move, but you cannot move efficiently or comfortably. When a baby has a restricted tongue or lip, their mouth cannot function the way it needs to for a deep, comfortable latch. This isn’t just about feeding; the tongue is a major architect of the mouth, influencing how the jaw grows, how teeth erupt, and eventually, how a child speaks.
Identifying the Signs: It’s Not Just About the Latch
One of the most frequent questions I get is, “How do I know if my baby has a tie?” The signs can vary, and they often affect both the baby and the mother if she is breastfeeding. It is important to look at the whole picture rather than just one symptom.
Symptoms in Infants
If your baby is struggling with a restricted frenum, you might notice the following behaviors:
- Poor Latching: The baby struggles to stay attached to the breast or bottle, frequently popping off.
- Clicking Sounds: You might hear a clicking or smacking noise while they are eating. This usually happens because they lose suction due to restricted tongue lift.
- Reflux and Gas: Because they cannot maintain a seal, babies often swallow a lot of air. This leads to symptoms often mistaken for colic, such as gas, fussiness, and spit-up.
- Fatigue During Feeds: Eating takes a lot of energy for a tongue-tied baby. They may fall asleep quickly at the breast only to wake up hungry a short time later.
- Lip Blister: You may see a callous or blister on the baby’s upper lip from trying to hold on too tight.
- Slow Weight Gain: If the transfer of milk is inefficient, the baby may struggle to gain weight on a standard curve.
Symptoms in Breastfeeding Mothers
Sometimes the baby seems fine, but the mother is in agony. Signs for mom include:
- Pain: Severe pain during latching that continues throughout the feed.
- Nipple Damage: Creased, flattened, cracked, or bleeding nipples.
- Incomplete Drainage: Feeling like the breast is never fully empty, which can increase the risk of blocked ducts or mastitis.
- Low Milk Supply: If the baby isn’t stimulating the breast effectively, supply can drop over time.
Data Point 1: It is helpful to know you are not alone. According to studies on oral anomalies, the prevalence of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) in newborns is estimated to be between 4% and 10%. This means it is a relatively common occurrence, and pediatric dentists are well-equipped to handle it.
Long-Term Effects Beyond Infancy
While feeding is the immediate concern, leaving a significant tie untreated can lead to issues down the road. I believe in looking at the long-term health of my patients. As a child grows, a restricted tongue can cause speech difficulties, specifically with sounds that require the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth (like ‘t’, ‘d’, ‘l’, and ‘r’).
Furthermore, the position of the tongue influences the shape of the upper jaw. A low-resting tongue can lead to a high, narrow palate. This leaves less room for teeth, leading to crowding, and can even restrict the nasal airway. There is a strong connection between untreated tongue-ties and mouth breathing or sleep apnea in children. Addressing these issues early can set the foundation for a lifetime of better breathing and oral health.
The Modern Solution: Laser Frenectomy for Babies
If we determine that your child has a functional restriction, we need to release that tight tissue. In the past, this was often done with sterile scissors. While that method is still used, modern dentistry has evolved. In my office, we prefer using laser technology.
When you search for a “laser frenectomy baby” procedure, you are looking for the gold standard in soft tissue surgery. Here is why I love using lasers for this treatment:
Precision and Safety
Lasers allow us to be incredibly precise. We can remove exactly the right amount of tissue to restore function without damaging surrounding areas. The laser energy essentially vaporizes the tissue, which is much gentler than cutting.
Minimal Bleeding and Swelling
One of the biggest benefits of a laser is that it cauterizes (seals) the blood vessels and nerve endings as it works. This means there is very little, if any, bleeding during the procedure. It also creates a “biostimulation” effect, which reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process. For parents, seeing very little blood makes the experience much less traumatic.
Speed and Comfort
The actual release takes only seconds—often less than a minute. We use a topical numbing jelly to ensure the baby is comfortable. Because the laser seals nerve endings, babies typically experience less post-operative discomfort compared to traditional methods. In fact, we encourage mothers to breastfeed or bottle-feed immediately after the procedure. The warmth and closeness help soothe the baby, and the milk acts as a natural healer.
Data Point 2: The effectiveness of this procedure is backed by research. A systematic review found that frenotomy (the release of the tongue-tie) was associated with a significant reduction in breastfeeding pain for mothers, with some studies showing more than a 50% improvement in maternal pain scores immediately following the procedure.
For more in-depth information on the medical classification and implications of tongue-ties, I recommend reading this article from the Mayo Clinic. It is a fantastic resource for understanding the medical perspective on ankyloglossia.
The Importance of the “Team Approach”
I always tell parents that the laser release is just one piece of the puzzle. Imagine you have had your arm in a cast for six months. The day the cast comes off, your arm is free, but your muscles are weak and stiff. You need physical therapy to regain full movement.
The same applies to a baby’s mouth. They have been using their muscles incorrectly for months (even in the womb). This is why I advocate for a multidisciplinary team.
Lactation Consultants (IBCLC)
Working with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is crucial. They help you relearn how to breastfeed with your baby’s new range of motion. They can guide you on positioning and latch techniques that were previously impossible.
Bodywork Therapy
Babies with ties often have tight necks and shoulders because they have been straining to eat. I frequently recommend seeing a chiropractor or a craniosacral therapist who specializes in infants. They can help release the tension in the baby’s body, making the transition to normal feeding much smoother.
Aftercare: Ensuring the Tie Doesn’t Return
Once the procedure is done, the mouth heals very quickly. The mouth is amazing at healing—sometimes too amazing. If we do nothing, the raw edges of the wound might try to stick back together, causing the tie to reattach.
To prevent this, I provide parents with a simple routine of stretches to perform with their baby. This involves lifting the tongue and lip gently to keep the wound open so it heals in a new, elongated position. We will practice these stretches together in the office so you feel confident doing them at home. It usually involves doing these stretches a few times a day for a few weeks. It might seem daunting, but most babies tolerate it very well, especially if you turn it into a playful game.
Common Questions Parents Ask Me
Will my baby be in pain?
Most babies experience mild discomfort for 24 to 48 hours. This is usually manageable with lots of skin-to-skin contact, frequent feeding, and sometimes an over-the-counter pain reliever suitable for infants, which I will discuss with you during the visit.
Is general anesthesia required?
No, for infants, we do not use general anesthesia or sedation. The procedure is so quick and the laser is so gentle that topical numbing is sufficient. This eliminates the risks associated with sedating a baby.
When is the best time to do it?
Generally, the earlier, the better. Correcting the issue early prevents the baby from developing bad compensatory habits and protects the mother’s milk supply. However, it is never “too late.” We perform these releases on toddlers, children, and even adults who suffer from tension headaches or sleep issues.
Moving Forward with Confidence
If you suspect your child has a tongue-tie or lip-tie, trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone else. If feeding feels harder than it should be, or if your baby seems constantly uncomfortable, it is worth getting an evaluation.
My goal as Dr. Sepehr Nassiripour is not just to perform a procedure, but to empower you as a parent. We want to turn those stressful feeding times into moments of bonding and peace. The laser frenectomy baby procedure is a safe, effective, and life-changing solution that helps your child eat, speak, and breathe better for the rest of their life. If you have concerns, please reach out. We are here to support you and your little one every step of the way.
