This care guide is designed to help you care for your baby after a frenectomy (also called a frenotomy) — a procedure used to release a tongue tie or lip tie. A tongue tie (also known as ankyloglossia) happens when the frenulum, the small band of tissue under your baby’s tongue, is too tight or short. This can make it hard for your baby to move their tongue freely, which can affect breastfeeding. A poor latch, nipple pain, and trouble transferring enough milk are common breastfeeding problems associated with tongue and lip ties. 

A frenectomy is a procedure where the frenulum is released, either by scissors or laser, to help your baby’s tongue (or lip) move more easily, improving breastfeeding. While the procedure is usually well-tolerated, proper aftercare is important to make sure your baby heals well and can breastfeed comfortably. This care guide will walk you through what to expect, how to support your baby’s recovery, and what to do if you run into any breastfeeding challenges.

Caring for Your Baby After the Procedure

After your baby’s frenectomy, they will need some extra care to make sure everything heals properly and they get the most benefit from the procedure.

• Post Release: Right after the procedure, your healthcare provider will check your baby for any signs of bleeding or discomfort. They will likely place your baby in your arms and encourage you to attempt breastfeeding.
• Managing Pain: Your baby may feel some discomfort, most intensely in the first 24 hours after the procedure. Gentle pain relief medications, as recommended by your healthcare provider, can help. Skin-to-skin contact, babywearing, or breastfeeding can also be comforting and soothing for your baby and help reduce your stress.
• Feed Frequently: Watch your baby for early feeding cues and offer your breast frequently, both for feeding and comfort.
• Supplement, If Needed: If you’ve been supplementing, make sure your baby continues to get enough milk while they adjust to breastfeeding. This will help your baby continue to grow while you work on improving their latch.
• Keep Pumping, If Needed: If your baby is not yet breastfeeding well or you are working on increasing your milk supply, continue pumping frequently. This will help maintain or increase your milk production until your baby is breastfeeding better.
• Get Breastfeeding Help: Working with a Lactation Consultant can provide invaluable support in helping improve breastfeeding after tongue tie release.
• Regular Check-Ups: Attend follow-up appointments with your baby’s healthcare provider and your lactation consultant to ensure that your baby is healing and gaining well.

Gentle Aftercare Exercises

While there is no universal agreement on the best aftercare methods, your healthcare provider may recommend gentle exercises or stretches to improve your baby’s tongue range of motion and prevent the frenulum from reattaching. Be sure to follow any specific instructions your provider gives you. Below are some common sucking and stretching exercises:

• Facial Massage: Use gentle, circular motions to massage your baby’s cheek and jaw muscles. This can help your baby relax, enabling them to open their mouth wider and latch deeper.
• Rubbing Gums: Starting at the center, use your clean index finger to gently rub along your baby’s upper and lower gumline. As you move your finger side to side, you may notice your baby’s tongue following the motion. This exercise helps improve your baby’s ability to move their tongue from side to side.
• Finger Sucking: Place your clean index finger (with the fingernail pointing downward) gently onto your baby’s tongue. Rub the roof of your baby’s mouth while allowing them to suck on your finger. Your finger should be deep enough to reach the junction between the hard and soft palates. If your baby gags, take it slower. Ensure their top and bottom lips are flanged. This exercise helps your baby become accustomed to a deeper latch and can also help desensitize their gag reflex.
• Tug-o-War: While your baby is sucking on your finger, slowly pull your finger out of their mouth, mimicking a tug-of-war. This exercise helps strengthen your baby’s tongue and improve its extension.
• Lifting the Lip: Place your index fingers on either side of your baby’s upper lip and gently lift it toward their nose. Your healthcare provider will guide you on how often and how many times to repeat this exercise.
• Lifting the Tongue: Place your index fingers on either side of the surgical release, beneath your baby’s tongue. Using your thumbs, gently press down on your baby’s chin and lift their tongue. This will allow you to view the “diamond” shaped wound or incision area and ensure it is not healing back together. Your provider will also advise you on how often and how many times to perform this exercise.

Signs of Complications

What If I Have Questions?

If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:

• What is a Tongue Tie? 
• Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep
• Moms Circle

Want More Info?

For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:

References