Lip Tie in Babies: Signs, Feeding Impact & Treatment | Parenting Hub
Lip tie is much less likely to affect feeding than tongue tie. How to tell normal from restrictive, what an IBCLC will assess, and when release is considered.
Every baby has a piece of tissue under their top lip — a 'tie' only matters if it actually restricts feeding. Here's how to tell.
What lip tie is
The labial frenulum is the small piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum. All babies have one. 'Lip tie' is the term used when it's thicker or attached lower, but unlike tongue tie, there's currently weak evidence that lip tie alone meaningfully affects breastfeeding in most babies.
Symptoms that may suggest restriction
Always considered together, not in isolation:
- Baby can't flange the upper lip outward during a feed
- Shallow latch and pinched nipples that don't improve with latch correction
- Clicking, milk leaking from the corners of the mouth
- Poor weight gain despite frequent feeding
Causes
It's a normal variation in development. Often runs alongside tongue tie.
What helps
Address the whole feeding picture before considering any procedure.
- Full feeding assessment by an IBCLC.
- Latch and positioning support to encourage a deep, asymmetric latch.
- Manage any tongue restriction first if both are present.
- Avoid 'flipping' the upper lip during feeds — usually unnecessary and uncomfortable.
When release is considered
Routine release of lip tie isn't recommended. It may be considered if a clear functional restriction remains after tongue assessment and feeding support — and only by a clinician trained in infant oral assessment.
When to see a doctor
See your GP, midwife or IBCLC if feeding is painful, weight gain is slow, or you're worried — they'll assess feeding as a whole, not just the lip.
When to seek help
- Poor weight gain or fewer than 6 wet nappies a day
- Persistent painful, cracked or bleeding nipples
- Baby is sleepy, jaundiced or hard to wake for feeds
Common questions
Does lip tie cause gaps between top teeth?
A wide upper frenulum can leave a small gap, but it usually closes on its own as adult teeth come through. Dentists rarely recommend release for cosmetic reasons in babies.
Is it worth releasing lip tie even if feeding is okay?
No. Procedures should target a clear problem, not an appearance.