4 Signs Your Provider Missed a Lip or Tongue Tie

1. They said it wasn’t possible, based on only ONE finding.

   Examples of this might sound like:
   “His weight gain is fine. It can’t be a tongue tie.”
   “He’s able to stick his tongue out to his lips. There’s no restriction.”
   “You’d have a lot of nipple pain if it was a tie.”

2. They didn’t put their (gloved) hands in your baby’s mouth.

   A proper exam for lip, tongue, and buccal ties can only be performed by sticking fingers in your baby’s mouth to assess several different points of structure and function. A visual inspection is NOT a sufficient assessment.
   While some ties are very obvious, many more are not, so it’s always warranted to have a complete examination.

3. They didn’t address many different points of oral function.

   This may sound like them only discussing symptoms or visual findings (similar to #1). Diagnosing a tongue tie is putting the puzzle pieces together. A proper diagnosis comes from a checklist of symptoms you and/or your baby experience, visual findings, and functional findings. Most tie-savvy providers are intentional about verbalizing to the parents what they’re finding as they’re doing an assessment so that you are aware what they are finding. This may sound like, “Now I’m checking how his tongue is moving when sucking- his tongue is not cupping around my finger well, and he feels very chompy, when he should have a good solid seal around my finger and wave-like motion to draw out milk.” If it seems like they’re checking these, just not verbalizing, you can always ask your provider to tell you what they’re finding while they do it.

4. They dismiss the concern, normalize symptoms that are signs of abnormal function, or find band-aid approaches to address it.

   They may use terms like:
   “That’s a fad.”
   “That’s hyped up on social media.”
   “That’s been so over-diagnosed. They’re very rare.”

   Examples of normalizing abnormal functions include:
   Reflux (may suggest medications or say, “She’ll grow out of it.”)
   Poor weight gain (may be quick to recommend supplementation)
   

If your parent gut is telling you something is off, it’s important that you’re seen by a provider who is properly-trained!

Dr. Kimmie has received hundreds of hours of additional training in pediatric care and infant feeding, and ensures all of her infants receive a proper oral function assessment. When found, she refers you to the appropriate providers for exceptional care to address the tie(s).
One of the most important steps in establishing a healthy infant nutrition journey is to get checked early.
Don’t wait, and get checked by a trained provider today!