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Yes, it does look like a lip tie. We had DS's LT released a month or so ago and it made all the difference with his latch. I'd get it checked out if I was you. Good luck!

That's what A's looked like!

That's what B's lip tie looked like.

On a brighter note, now that both are corrected he can latch on without the help of the shields. I didn't even have to wean. When he decided to start nursing again I just tried without the shield and he didn't fight it. On the side with the flat nip he still has some issues when I'm really full, but if I sandwich and put him in a football hold he nurses fine without them.

I can't say definitively the tie is what made a difference, but there is hope to get off the shields!

I was told that upper lip ties don't affect breastfeeding. Either way, DS has an upper lip tie and was almost 5 months before he weaned from the nipple shield. He just decided one day he wasn't going to use it and has been nursing like a champ since.

@boiledpnut: it definitely does. It can affect a baby's ability to latch well/deeply, and maintain a good latch...it's great that your Lo's hasn't been a problem for you guys! I think too often, however, they're overlooked.

@boiledpnut: I never noticed the classic signs either - pain, cracked skin, bad latch - maaaybe a supply issue but I was working FT 7am to 5:30pm out of the home from 7 weeks on, so it's hard to say...

@grizz: Ok this thread has been super eye opening for me, because I just looked at LO's mouth and he has the exact same thing! Additionally... So do I! I thought everyone had that! It's weird though because we saw two LCs (one was an IBCLC), and nobody mentioned it after looking at his mouth! We are having trouble getting off the shield too. Thanks for posting because I'm going to bring it up at his 2 month appointment...

My lo has a lip tie and it looks just like that. We took her to an ent when she was 8 weeks old after several LC's suggested we go. I didnt have any of the "typical" problems lip ties can cause like supply issues, poor weight gain, bad latch, cracked nipples, etc, but I went to get it checked out anyways. We ended up not having it snipped, but if it is causing problems for you it is def worth looking into.

@grizz: oh, wow, good thing you caught it!!

LO's lip tie was like that and I was about to tell you "yes, your LO has a lip tie!" until I saw your update.
Our ENT said it wasn't necessary to snip it, so we didn't. He was a good nurser either way...

@erinpye - I've found that to be true too, upper lip tie with a posterior tongue tie and I'll throw in a high palate into the mix too - those three things are often seen together.

@grizz - glad you got it looked at again! Are you going to get it released?

@grizz: was the TT that they clipped anterior? Can he lift his tongue up pretty high toward the roof of his mouth? Just want to double check for you so you don't have to go in a 3rd time. Definitely just have them look for posterior TT- sometimes an anterior isn't clipped enough, and sometimes they can both be present. The confirmed ULT would have me really check thoroughly for PTT. Good luck! I promise you won't regret it- it made such a huge difference for our DD.

@grizz: oh good! Keep us posted