Breastfeeding Post Release

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Feeding Therapy will increase successful breastfeeding and ensure that your baby obtains adequate nutrition for growth and development.

Missing Link

You have recently brought for your baby a tongue and/or lip tie release. Everything went well and the release provider said that your baby has good mobility. Ok, great. Then why are we continuing to have difficulty when breastfeeding and why does it still hurt? Everyone made me feel like this would be it. Have the release and all will be well! But, it is clearly not! What am I missing?

What is The Problem?

It is often thought that addressing tongue and lip tie is as simple as having the procedure. And that once that release is completed, your baby will suddenly change the way that he or she breastfeeds, all of the problems will resolve. Unfortunately, for many babies, having the release is just the beginning.

Why Continued Difficulties?

Despite what many say, the release is not a magic fix. Our tongue is formed early in gestation and when a baby has a restricted frenulum (tongue tie) the baby’s tongue movements are restricted. Accessory muscles and their patterns are changed and the infant swallows amniotic fluid for months using restricted tongue patterns. Because of the tongue restriction, babies develop compensatory patterns. A frequent compensatory pattern is when a baby uses too much jaw compression. This common compensatory pattern results in the baby biting and not sucking. When this happens, the baby is using the jaw because the tongue is not working. This patterns often results in nipple pain and poor milk transfer.

What to Expect Post Release

When a baby has a release, the release provides the baby with passive range of motion. Range of motion is the amount of movement one has. Range of motion can be passive or active, and they can be very different. Passive range of motion involves someone moving the structure (tongue or lip for this purpose). Active range of motion means that the baby is actively using the range of motion.

Reasons for Continued Difficulties

A baby will continue to have feeding difficulties after a release because the baby is not activating or using the range of motion provided by the release. Many babies do not have the strength or endurance to maintain the range of motion necessary for successful feeding. Babies may also not realize that they have the range of motion or they may not know how to use the new range of motion. This may be evident in the baby that has more disorganized sucking patterns post-release. Many infants do not automatically use the new movement patterns because of the compensatory patterns they developed. If the baby’s compensatory techniques are not addressed and ineffective patterns are not changed, feeding difficulties will continue.

What is Feeding Therapy?

Feeding therapy is indicated for a baby when the new passive range of motion is not translating into functional movements. Your therapist will develop correct strong oral function skills to enable successful painless feedings. You will also learn exercises that you can use with your baby. If your having difficulty, call an experienced therapist.