By Gabi Falanga

If your baby gets frustrated while nursing, isn’t gaining weight and you find breastfeeding painful, your baby could have a lip tie. 

A lip tie is when the piece of tissue that attaches the upper lip to the gums – called the frenulum – is too thick or tight. This limits the movement of the upper lip making it difficult for the baby to latch properly and nurse effectively. 

Your baby may have a lip tie if they:

• Struggle to latch properly to the breast, causing nipple pain and damage
• Are fussy and frustrated during nursing
• Never seem to be full and want to feed more frequently than is normal 
• Gain weight very slowly or not at all
• Are very fussy or have colic 
• Struggle to breath during nursing and splutter and choke on milk
• Make a clicking sound while nursing
• Prefer a bottle to the breast

If you suspect your baby has a lip tie it’s best to consult a lactation specialist, doctor or paediatrician who will be able to confirm the diagnosis. These symptoms could also be caused by a number of other issues, so it is best to speak to a professional about your concerns.

According to Healthline, a lip tie is easy to correct. If it’s not too severe, gently massaging the space between the baby’s upper lip and gum with a finger can help loosen the tie. A more serious tie can be quickly and easily severed with a laser or surgical scissors. 

A baby with a severe lip tie might have to be given breastmilk or formula from a bottle until the tie can be corrected. If a baby with a lip tie doesn’t struggle to breastfeed and it doesn’t cause pain for the mother, then it can usually be left untreated.