Does lip tie cause discomfort when feeding?

[LindsayS79]

Hi all

DD is 7.5 months old and ff. Bf didn't work out due to poor supply combined with reflux etc. I now suspect that she has upper lip tie, which would explain the many difficulties I had trying to bf.

I have been having major issues getting her to take her bottles since she was 4 months. Every feed is difficult and I have to distract her to get her to drink - no matter how hungry she is.

I was wondering if lip tie can cause discomfort for ff babies? She uses dr brown bottles and has had her omeprazol increased to 10mg a day. I'm now wondering if the pain is from possibly being lip tied.

[jennyapples]

Are you sure she doesn't also have a tongue tie? My LO had a very visible, very severe ULT and a not so visible posterior tongue tie. I suspect the tongue tie is really what was causing the pain. They often occur in conjunction, so it's possible...

[LindsayS79]

I suspect she could have that too. I struggle to get anyone to look at it. GPs I've seen are clueless and the HVs say nothing will be done as she's FF!

[jennyapples]

That's so frustrating. These HCP are just disinterested in the topic, I find. Whereabouts are you? Maybe this will help:

www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/Parents/Problems/Tongue-Tie/Locations-where-tongue-tie-can-be-divided/

(what's FF? I'm drawing a blank!)

[LindsayS79]

Sorry, ff is formula fed!!! I'm in Glasgow and I see from your link (thanks!) that there is someone in the local sick kids hospital!
I'll pop in to see the HV today and if they dismiss me again, I'll call that number. Thanks so much for that!

[mawbroon]

Most lip ties come with a tongue tie, often a posterior tie which is the type that are regularly missed by hcps.

Just beware that even some of the tongue tie clinics are not clued up about posterior ties and may dismiss a lip tie too.

And also, DS1 was revised by somebody on that UNICEF list and it was not done properly. Not all tongue tie practitioners are equal!

They may say that it is not a problem because you are ffing, also not true.

There are a couple of Facebook groups offering tongue tie support which are worth joining.

[LindsayS79]

Thanks mawbroon.
I actually saw a different HV yesterday who said it sounds like TT. DD wouldn't let her near her mouth so I'm being referred to the sick kids hospital to see a specialist.
After 4 months of DD refusing her bottle, I might actually be getting somewhere!

[mawbroon]

They might say that a General Anaesthetic is required at her age.

Not true and not necessary. There are other options available but you would have to go privately to a dentist who uses laser.

[crikeybadger]

Until what age will they use a GA mawbroon?

[mawbroon]

I am guessing it will vary from place to place, but I have heard 6 months from some people.