https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:02:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007599 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 06:32:02 +0000 AprilFool 1007599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like @erinpye: we also took lo to see an osteopath before and after her procedure and helped greatly </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007591 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 06:25:15 +0000 AprilFool 1007591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: dd could stick her tongue out and loved doing it. We were told at birth she had a slight tie but the specialist we saw said there is no slight when it comes to ties. There is one or isn't it. Cutting her tie made a difference in that she can curl her tongue around the nipple now which was such a game changer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007542 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 02:58:06 +0000 erinpye 1007542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: it's really hard to get it all sorted, but so worth it. We ended up traveling to Canada (we live in WA state) to get treatment. I hope you find someone wonderful nearby who will really listen to your concerns and asses your LO thoroughly. You might also look into finding an IBCLC who knows how to spot a posterior tongue tie- they often have local people they can refer you to for treatment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007538 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 02:55:24 +0000 Espion 1007538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: Awesome, thanks for the links. I'm almost tempted to go put my finger in E's mouth, but not too tempted, since he's sleeping, heh.<br /> Unfortunately, we're in the great white north and to the left (AK), so I have a feeling I'm going to have to fight to be heard about this. I'm also afraid of someone not quite knowing what they are doing and trying to treat E. At least I'll be armed and ready with information! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007537 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 02:51:22 +0000 erinpye 1007537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: here's that provider list: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BFcr9ZE_KvC4tb6QPLhA3Yrtc3GnCm4g9BIGLVXzUWE/mobilebasic?pli=1" rel="nofollow">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BFcr9ZE_KvC4tb6QPLhA3Yrtc3GnCm4g9BIGLVXzUWE/mobilebasic?pli=1</a></p> <p>And a little about posterior tongue ties: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sh3EXUhHtwCX1q6vA40Vn5FVV7_PB8EIvokAq1I0s5E/mobilebasic?pli=1" rel="nofollow">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sh3EXUhHtwCX1q6vA40Vn5FVV7_PB8EIvokAq1I0s5E/mobilebasic?pli=1</a></p> <p>Also, Dr. Kotlow who is well-known for his treatment of ties and breast feeding mother support has SUCH great info in the articles on his website: <a href="http://www.kiddsteeth.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kiddsteeth.com</a>.</p> <p>I'm pretty passionate about treating ties, and treating them effectively, after noticing the world of difference it made for our DD who suffered with all kinds of complications that stemmed from her ties: colic, reflux, refusal to nurse, vomiting, trouble sleeping, etc. All those issues cleared when her ties were revised at 6 months old, most of them such as the vomiting, we're immediate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007535 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 02:40:24 +0000 erinpye 1007535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: My DD had no trouble sticking her tongue out past her lips, the problem was her PTT prevented her from lifting it enough toward the roof of her mouth to form a proper latch. The fact she could stick it out is why our pediatrician said she didn't have a tongue tie, but she actually did.</p> <p>ETA: there's a FB group with a wealth of info including a provider list of people across the country skilled in diagnosing and treating all ties. It's called Tongue Tie Babies Support Group. That provider list was how I found both the person who diagnosed my LO properly, and then the laser dentist we selected for a confirmation diagnosis as well as treatment of the ties. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007531 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 02:30:34 +0000 Espion 1007531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AprilFool: @Kemma: @erinpye: @lamariniere: Thank you for the info! E actually does a great job at getting his tongue out of his mouth and over his lower lip...so I'm not sure about the tongue tie. However, I'm no expert! I'm going to try and find a ENT around here that has some experience in diagnosing posterior tongue ties as well. (Which seems to be the key in getting them fixed, from what I've heard.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007513 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 01:36:27 +0000 lamariniere 1007513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: very interesting. My LC and the ENT both assured me that the procedure brought instant relief for most babies and mamas. I wish I had been I formed of the additional therapies at the time! Good to keep in mind for next time though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1007504 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 01:01:41 +0000 erinpye 1007504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: @lamariniere: I think it's also important to realize a lot of times the difference isn't overnight once ties are revised. Babies with ties have had them their entire lives, even in the womb, and have learned WITH ties, how to do things, so the overcompensations are going to take a bit of time to overcome. Bodywork by someone like a chiropractor or craniosachral specialist is also often recommended after ties are released, to address the overcompensations and loosen up tightness caused by them. I thought it was probably a bunch of bunk, but was told just 1 session would make a difference, so we took our DD to 1 session after her releases, and sure enough, made a HUGE difference. Her body was more relaxed, and she stopped stiffening up her limbs like she had been. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1005788 Sat, 10 Aug 2013 03:20:02 +0000 lamariniere 1005788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: Yes! Exactly, everything you said. I had both upper and lower clipped on DS when he was like 5 days old. He cried for maybe a minute and then nursed. It was definitely more traumatic for me than him. Unfortunately, I did not notice any significant improvement and still had quite a lot of pain. </p> <p>I think that my son's issue was that he had and still has a very small mouth. As he grew the pain subsided and by about 10 weeks (yes, I know, a loooooong time), I was finally able to nurse comfortably. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1005781 Sat, 10 Aug 2013 03:00:48 +0000 Kemma 1005781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://thefunnyshapedwoman.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/introducing-maxillary-labial-frenulum.html?m=1" rel="nofollow">http://thefunnyshapedwoman.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/introducing-maxillary-labial-frenulum.html?m=1</a></p> <p>The above is a great link on upper lip ties that another HB member posted on a breastfeeding thread.</p> <p>My girl had her tongue tie clipped at 7 weeks and her lip done at 8 weeks and it was clipping the lip tie that made the biggest difference. Prior to having the lip tie clipped A had a lot of trouble maintaining suction and was very fully when nursing which resulted in lots of spilling and painful wind. </p> <p>To be honest I'm pretty sure the actual procedure was more traumatic for me than Baby and she was over it in just a few minutes! I definitely think it's worth having it done if there's even a small chance of it improving your nursing relationship.</p> <p>@Ginger333: I've read about lip / tongue ties contributing to failure to thrive and reflux in older babies </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1005769 Sat, 10 Aug 2013 02:32:06 +0000 AprilFool 1005769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I noticed a big difference by cutting her ties. We went from pain to no pain instantly. My nipples stopped looking like lipstick after a feed and it helped her to stay latched. It was an easy procedure too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1005672 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 23:09:56 +0000 erinpye 1005672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Correcting our LO's upper lip tie and posterior tongue tie made a significant difference in nursing, vomiting, colic, sleep, and her overall happiness. It is extremely rare to have an ULT without also having a PTT, although not all pediatricians and ENTs know how to diagnose a posterior tongue tie, so have a practiced specialist check for that too. Fixing one, but not the other, won't fully address the problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1004742 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:39:56 +0000 Espion 1004742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ginger333: Thanks for chiming in! I'm so "in the moment" I would not have in a million years thought that far down the line! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1004725 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:32:23 +0000 Ginger333 1004725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I noticed a huge difference in how much the tie complicated nursing after he got teeth (around 8 months) I could deal with the tie, and uncomfortable nursing until that point - after teeth it just got painful. I had it released (as well as a tongue tie) at 10 months old and O.M.Goodness I wish I had done it sooner. The pain during a feeding is gone, he's chunking up a lot and I don't have sore boobs/lipstick shaped nipples any more.<br /> For us, it has made a world of difference to get it released. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1004711 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:28:58 +0000 Espion 1004711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: Yeah, if anything the future orthodontic issues might be more persuasive... I can't imagine this would "fix" his nursing issues 100%. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1004700 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:22:09 +0000 Ra 1004700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I haven't noticed much of an improvement (tongue and lip tie). I'm not sure if it is because my technique sucks, his mouth is small, and he is still learning how to control his new tongue though. I will say he went from refusal to nurse at all to actively trying to nurse; so maybe it made it easier/more comfortable for him. Hard to say.</p> <p>The ENT did tell me that his lip tie could potentially cause issues when his teeth came in (a gap, potential crowding, etc). The procedure was quick and he was more upset at having his hands held down than the actual clip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-did-dividing-an-upper-lip-tie-improve-nursing#post-1004688 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 15:15:07 +0000 Espion 1004688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure why I never noticed this but E has a pretty significant upper lip tie. I'm wondering if fixing this will improve his nursing at all. We've been supplementing with formula for quite some time now, however I do nurse him every day. He seems like he has a lot of trouble staying latched at times. He will pop off often unless I am using both hands to help him. (Similarly, he will do great with the pacifier or a bottle as long as we are holding it.) So perhaps it might improve his latch and suction? My nips haven't been cracked or bleeding for quite a while but that's likely because we've been using a bottle for half of his feedings. They always come out looking lipstick shaped after nursing.</p> <p>I've seen three different lactation consultants so far and everybody comments that his mechanics look great from the outside. I'm just not sure if putting him through dividing the tie will be of any benefit at this point. (He is 9 weeks.)</p> <p>Any Bees with some wisdom? </p>