For infants and children who have undergone a tongue- or lip-tie frenectomy procedure, there will be discomfort for the first week. Although the procedure itself is not long or highly painful, there is still a wound that has to heal. Infants, in particular, will naturally be fussier at first. To help soothe them, offer plenty of skin-to-skin contact. This contact helps lower their pain sensitivity by increasing oxytocin levels.
Natural remedies like breast milk ice chips can act as a natural numbing agent to help manage pain. Simply freeze breast milk flat in a storage bag, place tiny pieces under the lips, tongue, or cheek, and let them melt slowly.
Due to initial soreness and the process of re-learning how to suck, feedings may be inconsistent during the first week. In some cases, the baby’s latch or symptoms may even worsen before they get better. This is completely normal. You may also notice increased spitting up, drooling, and choking; some babies have a harder time adjusting to the increased milk flow as they relearn how to nurse. While this is usually temporary, always check with your lactation specialist if you have any concerns.
After the first week, you will see the healing patch start to shrink, and their feeding will improve. By week four, they will normally settle into a much better feeding pattern. They may still be working on building their oral strength and coordination, but they will be feeding as they should—getting more milk to help them grow strong and healthy!