Why Nursing Could Be Painful (But Shouldn’t Be)

Breastfeeding a baby is a rewarding act, but one that many new parents struggle with- especially at first. But if nursing your child does not get easier or has become increasingly painful over time, it could be the sign of a problem known as a lip or tongue tie.

Lip and tongue ties affect between four and eleven percent of babies. They are caused by the tissue holding the lips to the gums (known as the frenum) being too short, thick, or tight. This can make it difficult for the baby to get a proper latch while breastfeeding, causing difficulties for the child while eating as well as pain for the nursing mother.

If you and your baby are struggling to nurse successfully, it’s not your fault. Here’s what you need to know about correcting lip and tongue ties.

Is Breastfeeding Supposed to Hurt?

It’s a common myth that breastfeeding is supposed to be painful, or that it’s no big deal if it is.  While it may be a bit uncomfortable in the first few days, it should eventually get easier and be completely painless. The truth is, it’s supposed to be comfortable for both mother and child, so if it’s not, there’s a good chance there’s a latch issue.

 Thankfully, while many of these problems are easily overcome with patience and proper support, in the case of a lip or tongue tie, the problem will likely need medical intervention to correct.

Signs of Lip or Tongue Tie

Do your nursing sessions cause cracked or bleeding nipples, mastitis, blocked milk ducts, painful latch, or even a low milk supply? These could indicate a tongue or lip tie in your baby.  The great news is that there is a painless, fast, and extremely effective way to correct this problem. It’s called a laser frenectomy.  During this procedure, your pediatric dentist will use a soft-tissue laser to essentially vaporize the frenum that is preventing your child’s lip or tongue from moving freely and allowing them to breastfeed successfully.  Because a laser is used, this means no tissue needs to be cut, shortening the healing time. In fact, there’s typically very little bleeding during this treatment, and your baby may only require local anesthesia or none at all. It also rarely requires stitches or sutures, and most pain should subside within a few hours.

Remember, breastfeeding your baby is both a wonderful way to bond as well as an excellent source of nourishment, but it should never be painful or stressful for the infant or the mother. If your child is struggling to get a proper latch, or if you are suffering from any painful side-effects of uncomfortable nursing, speak to your dentist today about lip and tongue tie and how a laser frenectomy can help make nursing a positive experience for you and your baby.

About Dr. Vuppala

Dr. Ramu Vuppala is passionate about helping young patients smile. Whether he’s treating a child for their very first exam, ensuring a patient with special needs feels comfortable during their procedure, or assisting a baby in overcoming a lip or tongue tie, he’s proud to have been improving patients’ oral health for over 20 years.

Dr. Vuppala is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Academy of Laser Dentistry, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. To schedule a consultation for a lip or tongue tie for your baby, please contact Midland Kid’s Dentist by visiting our website, or by calling us directly at 432-520-5347.