Infant — restrictive upper lip-tie >

What is a lip-tie and what are its symptoms?

How to identify a lip-tie?

Upper lip-tie in baby, diagnosis French-speaking Switzerland

Upper lip frenulum

An upper lip frenulum that is too short prevents the lip from positioning correctly on the nipple, causing a poor seal. It prevents the lip from flanging outward over the nipple.

To compensate, the baby clamps in an attempt to maintain a seal. This generally results in pain that can progress to cracked nipples.

Despite these efforts, the seal is not sufficient and the baby swallows a great deal of air, causing frequent burping and sometimes colic.

This situation frustrates and tires the baby. They detach from the breast more easily and more quickly.

One or more symptoms may be present.

photo credit CMDP

Consequences

Frequent impact:

  • Difficulty for the baby to latch properly onto the breast or bottle
  • Colic
  • Reflux
  • Excessive spacing between the front teeth (diastema).
  • Difficulty cleaning the upper teeth properly, leading to risk of cavities or gum irritation.
Consequences of lip-tie on breastfeeding, French-speaking Switzerland

photo credit CMDP

To cut or not...