Beyond Tears: The Connection Between a Lip or Tongue-Tie and Colic

December 15, 2023

A baby with colic due to a lip or tongue-tie

The sudden cries of an upset baby can be a shock for parents, leaving them scrambling for answers and solutions. If you’ve tried everything you can think of to calm your baby down, there may be another factor you haven’t considered. A lip or tongue-tie may be affecting your infant in many ways, causing colic.

If you want to learn more about how lip and tongue-ties affect babies and lead to stress and colic, continue reading.

What are Lip and Tongue-Ties?

Lip and tongue-ties are conditions where the thin pieces of skin, known as the frenulum, restrict the movement of the lips or tongue. These restrictions often affect their ability to nurse as babies and can lead to other issues with digestion and teeth.

How Do Lip or Tongue-Ties Create Breastfeeding Challenges?

Infants with lip or tongue-ties may struggle with effective breastfeeding. The limited movement can lead to shallow latching, causing frustration for both the baby and the nursing mother. Additionally, mothers who have babies with lip or tongue-ties may experience painful nursing and lowered confidence.

What Happens When Babies Swallow Air During Breastfeeding?

As babies feed, those with lip and tongue-ties inadvertently swallow more air due to difficulties in creating a proper latch. Excess air intake can lead to gassiness and discomfort in their bellies, which are common factors associated with colic episodes. Other signs of excess air in infants are spitting up frequently (reflux), and burping.

Babies can’t effectively communicate these symptoms, so they get upset and cry due to abdominal discomfort or hunger.

What Can Be Done to Treat Lip or Tongue-Ties?

In cases where lip or tongue-ties are identified as the culprits of colic, a simple procedure known as a frenotomy may be recommended. This involves releasing the restrictive frenulum, allowing for improved mobility in the lips or tongue.

This allows a baby to latch better when breastfeeding, reducing pain for the mother and increasing nutrition for the baby. Frenectomies are quick, painless procedures, especially if you go to a specialist who uses modern technology like the LightScalpel laser.

While colic remains a complex challenge for parents, exploring potential causes like lip and tongue-ties is a great first step. If you believe that your child is suffering from a lip or tongue-tie, professional evaluation is the best way forward.

About the Author

Dr. Andrea Csok enjoys working with patients of all ages. Her passion is helping others achieve a better life through great oral care and education—specifically by treating lip and tongue ties. After earning her dental credentials, she completed Dr. Baxter’s Tongue-Tie Academy where she learned how to diagnose and treat a lip or tongue tie. Today, she uses advanced technology like the LightScalpel laser to perform procedures and restore smiles. Call (216) 292-3600 to schedule a lip and tongue tie consultation at Dental & Cosmetic Solutions or visit the website to learn more.