I think my baby has a lip tie, does this need treating too?

No. There is no evidence to suggest lip ties affect breastfeeding. Most babies will have a lip tie which naturally recedes over time. If you are concerned about a lip tie it is best to discuss this with your dentist who will observe the development of the adult teeth and advise if treatment is needed at this point.

If my baby is gaining weight, is tongue tie division necessary?

Decisions about tongue tie division consider individual circumstances beyond feeding difficulties. It also encompasses the mother’s comfort with feeding, the babies feeding frequency, associated symptoms and the overall function of the tongue, which can impact speech and oral hygiene

Why was the tongue tie not picked up after birth or by my GP ?

Checking for tongue tie is not part of the routine checks every baby has after birth. This is why there are struct guidelines for when the NHS will divide a tongue-tie. Often they will not offer this is the baby is gaining weight. Most midwives and Doctors who do these checks are not trained to assess for tongue ties. It is important to see someone who has done additional training to assess and diagnose tongue tie. It is not possible to check by simply looking in the mouth or running a finger under the tongue.

Will tongue tie division solve my baby’s feeding problems?

This is one of the risks involved with tongue tie division. Division is not guaranteed to resolve feeding problems. Most studies suggest around 90% of breastfeeding mothers report improved feeding after division. Improvement can sometimes be immediate (esp when experiencing pain due to poor latch) but it can sometimes take a few days or longer to improve. In this time things can be up and down as your baby re learns how to use their tongue now it is moving like it should be. This is why the exercises given are so important.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?

There are many ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. comfortable feeding is a good sign, and responding to babies cues such as rooting, putting fingers into the mouth. Watching out for slower sucks and swallows during a feed. Ensuring baby is having plenty of wet and dirty nappies. Checking baby is putting on weight, going up clothes sizes. Popping along to local services such as latch and breastfeeding support groups can be really helpful for advice and support from other mums.