Dubai, UAE - Breastfeeding is a wonderful and nurturing experience that promotes a strong bond between a mother and her baby. Sometimes, it can become challenging when the baby has a lip or tongue tie. While the situation may appear overwhelming at first, it is important to remain positive and to consult your child's Pediatrician. Lip or tongue ties can be efficiently treated with early intervention.

What is a tongue tie?
A tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, is a condition that develops when the thin piece of tissue (lingual frenulum) that connects the bottom of the baby's tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter, thicker, or tighter than usual. This condition can limit tongue mobility, perhaps creating problems with breastfeeding, speaking, and oral hygiene. Babies with tongue ties may struggle to latch onto the breast or bottle, resulting in inadequate weight gain. In some cases, it can also impair their ability to swallow and enunciate certain sounds.

What is a lip tie?
Lip tie, on the other hand, is a similar condition in which the labial frenulum connecting the baby’s upper lip to their gums is excessively tight, thick, or reaches too far down towards the gum line. This can limit their upper lip movement and interfere with breastfeeding, oral hygiene, and even the development of the dental arch. Lip tie babies may struggle to flang their top lip outward while nursing, resulting in a shallow latch, increased air intake, and pain for both the infant and the mother.
Apart from causing difficulties during feeding times, a tongue or lip tie can impact babies in several ways and can potentially have long-term consequences as they grow older. Untreated tongue or lip ties can cause speech impairments, sleep apnea, and chewing and swallowing difficulties. Furthermore, children with a lip or tongue tie may have a visible gap in their front two teeth or a gum recession.

You should be aware of these conditions and consult with Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, Tongue and Lip tie specialist in Dubai, who can assess the severity and advise on the best course of action. Early detection and intervention can alleviate potential challenges and ensure your child's optimal growth and well-being.


5 signs your baby has a lip or tongue tie

Difficulty latching to your breast
Latching refers to how your baby attaches to your breast during nursing. A good latch is painless and pleasant, with your baby's chest and stomach lying against your body. Rather than just the nipple, their lips should cover the entire breast. If your infant has a tongue or lip tie, you may notice that the initial latching procedure isn't as smooth as it should be. Your infant may have difficulties getting a comfortable latch or staying latched.

They have difficulty creating and maintaining the suction required to suckle, therefore they may have difficulty remaining attached to your breast.
Hearing clicking sounds while feeding may indicate that your infant is losing suction. Though some babies latch onto a bottle more easily than others, they will continue to struggle regardless of being fed from the breast or a bottle.

Pain during breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable due to your baby's inability to latch and stay latched. They may gum or chew on your nipple in an attempt to get more milk if they can't suck well. Your baby's ability to create a proper seal and extract milk from the breast can be limited by the restricted mobility of their lip or tongue. This might result in insufficient milk transfer, forcing your infant to feed for a longer time or not receiving enough milk, which can be distressing and uncomfortable for you. Your nipples can become painful and injured as a result of this discomfort, which may persist long after the feeding session. When your baby isn't eating properly, this discomfort can be increased by engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis, all of which can make breastfeeding difficult for both you and your baby. Speak to your Pediatrician who specialises in lip tie in Dubai if your baby is fussy during feeds or you experience any pain.

Difficulty breathing while feeding
Lip ties prevent babies from flanging their upper lip outward, whereas tongue ties restrict tongue mobility. These constraints can lead to a shallow latch, causing your baby to create a poor seal around the breast and leading to increased air intake during feeding. This makes it difficult for your baby to coordinate sucking, eating, and breathing all at the same time. This additional effort might make breathing more difficult, resulting in breath-holding or impaired breathing patterns.

You may also notice that they are becoming fatigued as a result of the difficulty they are having breathing while feeding. This is especially common in babies who have a tongue tie because they can't produce the wave-like motion that is essential to move food from the front to the back of their mouth before swallowing. This might lead to a faulty breathing pattern, causing your infant to become overwhelmed and weary.

Poor weight gain
If your baby is having difficulty getting enough milk and meeting their calorie requirements, they may struggle to gain weight. Even if your breast milk provides complete nutrients for your infant, they must consume enough of it. If your baby isn't getting enough milk from breastfeeding, your Pediatrician who specialises in tongue tie in Dubai may offer supplements to help them gain weight at a normal rate.

Feeding sessions for babies with lip or tongue ties may be shorter in duration. The restricted movement of the lip or tongue might make it more difficult for your baby to extract milk properly, resulting in shorter, less nutritional feedings and slower weight development. Visit the best Pediatric clinic in Dubai if you’re concerned about your child’s weight gain.


Clogged ducts or Mastitis
Mothers who breastfeed newborns with lip or tongue ties may be more prone to recurring clogged ducts or mastitis, both of which are complications commonly associated with breastfeeding.

The difficulties in maintaining a proper latch and effective milk transfer can result in inadequate breast drainage during feedings. When milk is not completely eliminated, it can accumulate within the ducts, increasing the risk of clogged ducts. Clogged ducts can cause breast tenderness, swelling, and a firm lump. If ignored, it can lead to mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue.

As a breastfeeding mother of a baby with a lip or tongue tie, you must empty your breast using techniques such as breast massage, warm compresses, and frequent nursing or pumping to prevent recurring plugged ducts or mastitis. Seeking help from a lactation consultant or your best Pediatrician in Dubai can help you manage these concerns efficiently.


How is lip or tongue tie treated in babies?
The first step in resolving concerns about lip or tongue tie in babies is to consult with your Pediatrician.
The primary therapy for a baby's lip or tongue tie is a frenectomy or frenuloplasty, which is also known as a "tongue-tie release" or "lip-tie release." Your Pediatrician, oral surgeon, or Pediatric dentist, will use sterile scissors or a radio frequency to release or revise the tight or thick tissue attaching the lip or tongue to the gums or mouth floor. radio frequency precisely peels the tissue to liberate the movement of the lip or tongue under a topical anesthetia and local anesthesia. The tissue will be fully healed within 1 or 2 weeks.

The frenectomy or frenuloplasty is an outpatient treatment as the entire procedure usually takes less than a few minutes to complete. Depending on your baby's age and comfort level, it is usually done without anaesthesia or with a local anaesthetic. To prevent the need for anaesthesia or sedation, it is advised that your child undergoes the quick treatment before the age of 12 months, although it can be done when they are older.

The procedure's purpose is to improve the mobility and function of your baby's lip or tongue, allowing for better breastfeeding, speech, and oral hygiene. Your Pediatrician will also advise on the postoperative treatment that may include exercises or stretches to prevent the tissue from reattaching. To identify the best course of action for the specific circumstance, speak to your Pediatric doctor in Dubai.

“It is crucial to get evaluated as soon as possible if your newborn has a lip or tongue tie because doing so can greatly improve both your infant's overall health and your ability to successfully nurse your child. Delays in examination and intervention may result in extended breastfeeding difficulties, insufficient weight gain, nipple pain, or speech delays as your infant grows. Whereas, early intervention will allow your Pediatrician to evaluate, and offer direction, support, and the best possible treatment options. Also, it’ll improve breastfeeding outcomes, reduce maternal discomfort, and promote healthy infant growth” says Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, Tongue and Lip tie specialist and best Pediatrician in Dubai.


myPediaclinic - the best pediatric clinic in Dubai
Our experienced award-winning Pediatricians at myPediaclinic in Dubai Healthcare City help young children have a stress-free and relaxing visit. As one of the most trusted and kid-friendly clinics in the country, the doctors and staff at myPediaclinic are focused on delivering quality treatment and consultation for the long-term health and well-being of their patients.

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