Lip Tie in Newborn: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Lip tie in newborn is a condition where the piece of tissue connecting a baby’s upper lip to their gums is shorter, tighter, or thicker than usual. If of severe grade this can sometimes make breastfeeding harder for the baby and painful for the mom. But not all lip ties need treatment! This article explains what parents need to know, from spotting the signs to deciding what treatment is necessary.

 

What Is a Lip Tie?

A lip tie happens when the midline small fold of skin under the baby’s upper lip (called the frenulum) is too tight, thick, or short. This can limit how much the baby’s lip can move. Think of it like a rubber band that’s too stiff to stretch.

 

Key facts:

 

• Lip tie vs. tongue-tie: Lip tie is different from tongue-tie (where the tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth by a thick band and can’t move freely). But some babies have both.
• Not always a problem: Not all lip ties are significant, many babies with lip ties breastfeed just fine. Doctors only worry if it’s causing issues like pain or poor feeding.

Lip Tie in Newborn: Signs and Symptoms

Unlike tongue ties which are easily identified, lip ties are difficult to notice by parents. Here are some indirect symptoms and signs to recognize lip ties.

In Babies

 

• Feeding troubles: If you find that child is struggling to latch, slipping off the breast, or making clicking noises while feeding, then maybe you need to inspect under the upper lip.
• Slow weight gain: When a baby isn’t gaining weight well, it happens when they can’t drink enough milk.
• Fussiness: Baby seems more gassy, colicky, or spits up a lot after feeds, this is because of more air intake during breastfeeding.

In Moms

 

• Sore or cracked nipples: If there is a significant lip or tongue tie then the baby can’t get a better grip during feeding. Due to improper latching and sucking, the nipple is squeezed between the tongue and palate and this leads to soreness and cracking of the nipples.
• Low milk supply: Improper latching during feeding will lead to inefficient draining of breast milk, and milk production can drop.

Lip Tie Classification Systems

To manage it doctors rank lip ties in newborns from mild to severe and the following are the classifications for the same.

 

• Class I: The tissue barely attaches to the gums.
• Class II: Attaches a little closer but still doesn’t block the teeth.
• Class III: The tissue reaches where the front teeth will grow.
• Class IV: The tissue is very thick and connects to the roof of the mouth.

 

Note: Severe Grade doesn’t mean surgery, even a severe lip tie might not cause problems. What matters is whether it’s affecting feeding.

Impact on Breastfeeding: Evidence and Controversies

How a Tight Lip Affects Feeding

A tight lip can make it hard for the baby to “flip” and stretch their upper lip outward to latch properly. This can lead to shallow sucking and nipple pain for the mom as the nipple will be pressed between the tongue and palate. lip tie can be troublesome for both baby and mom, but experts disagree on how big a problem this is:

 

• Some studies say that cutting the lip tie (frenectomy) helps babies feed better.
• Others say that many babies improve with time with or without help from a lactation consultant, and surgery isn’t always needed.

What Experts Debate

• There’s no strong proof that fixing a lip tie always helps breastfeeding.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (2024) says to try other fixes first, like working with a lactation consultant.

Diagnosis: Beyond Anatomy

A doctor or lactation consultant will check two things:

1. How the lip looks: Is the frenulum too short, thick or tight?
2. How the baby feeds: Is the latch loose and painful? Is the baby getting enough milk?

Key point: Just because the lip looks tight doesn’t mean it needs treatment. The real question is: Is it causing trouble in feeding?

Treatment Options: Weighing Risks and Benefits

Here are the available options to manage lip tie–

Non-Surgical Fixes

• Breastfeeding help: A lactation consultant can teach certain positions to help the baby latch deeper.
• Stretching exercises: The doctor can also guide you to gently massage the lip to loosen the tissue (works best for mild cases).

 

Surgery (Frenectomy): What to Know

Your doctor may advise you to go for a surgical option if positioning and massaging therapy fails.

• The procedure: Although it sounds serious, a quick snip or laser cut to release the tight tissue is all that is needed. It takes seconds and uses numbing gel, and as being a common and minimally invasive method it’s very safe.
• Controversy: Every Doctor might have a different view of the situation, some doctors say more babies are getting surgery they don’t need. Others swear by it for severe cases.
• Risks: Very rare, but include minor bleeding or the tissue growing back. Nowadays there are advanced equipments like LASER which reduce the chances of bleeding to almost nill.

After Surgery Care

 

• Stretching: After a certain post-operative period Parents may gently rub the area daily to prevent reattachment.
• Breastfeed right away: There is no restriction to breastfeeding, in the majority of cases doctors ask mothers to feed their baby just after the procedure, it helps calm the baby and speeds healing.

Long-Term Implications

Teeth and Bite Issues

• The gap between teeth: A tight lip tie might cause a space between the front teeth, but no need to panic as this often closes on its own.
• Jaw alignment: Severe cases could affect the bite, but this is rare. These cases are generally associated with feeding issues. If you find your baby having feeding or growth issues then consult the doctor for possible outcomes.

Speech and Hygiene

• Speech problems: Speech is affected with tongue tie, with lip tie it’s very unlikely. Most kids talk fine even with a lip tie.
• Tooth decay: If the lip can’t move well, then cleaning the front teeth might be harder. But in breastfeeding babies who only consume milk and other liquids,  this is more a “what if” than a proven risk.

Home Remedies for Lip Tie in Newborn

Lip tie in newborn can make breastfeeding difficult but here are some simple home remedies that may help before considering medical treatment.

 

1. Gentle Lip Exercises

• Use a clean finger to gently lift your baby’s upper lip gently and hold it for a few seconds.
• Repeat this a few times daily to help stretch the tissue.

2. Proper Latching Techniques

• Try different breastfeeding positions that the baby may find easier to feed,  like the football hold or cross-cradle hold.
• keep an eye on and ensure your baby gets a deep latch to make feeding easier.

3. Warm Compress

• Apply a warm, damp cloth to the baby’s lip area for a few seconds. Test the temperature first on your hand then apply.
• This may help relax the tissue and improve upper lip movement.

4. Coconut Oil Massage

• Dab a little coconut oil maybe just a drop and under the lip tie gently massage it.
• This can help keep the area soft, more mobile, and prevent irritation.

5. Skin-to-skin contact

• A lip tie is always not the culprit, sometimes holding your baby close can help with breastfeeding difficulties.
• It also encourages a better latch naturally.

If breastfeeding remains painful or your baby struggles to feed properly, consult a pediatrician or lactation consultant.

Lip Tie in Newborn: Myths vs. Reality

1. Myth: Lip ties always lead to speech delays.
   Truth: Speech issues are rare. If they happen, speech therapy helps.
2. Myth: Surgery is the only fix.
   Truth: Many babies do well with breastfeeding support and time.
3. Myth: Lip ties need to be fixed ASAP.
   Truth: Wait and see! Many improve as the baby grows

 

When to Seek Medical Advice

 

Talk to a doctor or lactation consultant if:

• Breastfeeding hurts or the baby isn’t gaining weight.
• When there is a significant mobility issue, You notice the baby’s lip can’t move upward (like when they smile).

FAQs

Q: Will a lip tie give my baby a gap in their teeth?
A: Maybe, but gaps often close on their own. Braces can fix it later if needed.

Q: Is the surgery painful for babies?
A: They might fuss for a minute, but most calm down quickly. And are very safe nowadays due to advanced healthcare facilities.

Q: Can lip ties affect bottle feeding?
A: Sometimes babies swallow air, causing gas. Try slower-flow nipples.

The Bottom Line

If your baby has a Lip tie, this is not an emergency but it can make breastfeeding tricky. Work with a lactation consultant first—many issues improve with positioning and massaging and without surgery. If treatment is needed, a quick snip often solves the problem. Trust your instincts: If feeding feels painful or your baby isn’t thriving, ask for help!