Biting and lip tie

[schmetterling]

Hello everyone. My almost 15 month old daughter, we recently discovered, has an upper lip tie. Since her teeth have grown on the top, she constantly grinds her teeth on me when she nurses, so that there are teeth marks on my nipples when she's done. This has gone on for a while and I've been able to cope but now it's incredibly painful and I'm dreading her feedings. My nipples look pink and a little purple and swollen on the tip. She is teething right now so maybe that's why it's gotten worse? We've had thrush before a lot of times but I don't think this is thrush because she is obviously damaging my nipples from grinding her teeth. We are getting her lip tie looked at hopefully soon but I was wondering if anyone had experience with a lip tie causing these sorts of grinding teeth problems. We've been through so much in our nursing relationship and I would just love one day of pain free nursing.

 

[Care76]

I do not have experience yet with the top teeth since my son only has his bottom two, but I am part of a facebook group for tongue and lip tied babies and there are those who mention what you describe. I would say that it can cause discomfort and teeth marks when they have a lip tie. But I am not sure of the specifics. I don't know if it would cause biting, but maybe.

It is really hard to get somebody that will understand what effects lip ties can have on nursing. We were told numerous times it wouldn't interfere and I am sure that is why I have bruised nipples. There is a list of providers that specialize in ties on the group I go to, maybe they have somebody near you.

 

[schmetterling]

Thanks, do you mind telling me the name of the facebook group so I can look it up? There is a woman in a mom's group I am in that had her son's fixed with a laser but the oral surgeon she went to is not covered under my medical insurance and unfortunately we didn't add my daughter to our dental insurance this year because we didn't think it'd be worth the cost...live and learn I guess! I know Ear Nose Throat doctors can do it, and I have a recommendation for one, but I think they clip it instead of using the laser, and at my daughter's age, I'd imagine they'd have to put her under general anesthesia, which I would prefer to avoid. Thanks again for the input!

 

[Care76]

The group is Tongue Tie Babies Support Group. In the files section there is a list of providers that are recommended. I was told my son could be done with scissors at 8 months, but it has to be by somebody very experienced. We didn't do the lip though, only the tongue, but we might end up doing it as I still have some pain. Nothing I can't handle, but it would be nice not to have sore nipples.

 

[schmetterling]

I joined it, thanks!! There was only 1 provider near my area and she isn't covered under my insurance but I did get some recommendations from a lactation consultant. It appears the best one close to me does the laser treatment and is not covered by my insurance either. I have an appointment anyway to meet with him and see what needs to be done. I'm really nervous. I'm glad we've figured out the problem, but I so wish we would have known about it way earlier. I think it will still be helpful to get it corrected, but my daughter relies on the boob a lot less than she used to. Plus she went through a period where she lost weight over the course of a few months and stopped growing in height and head circumference and I can't help but feel upset that we didn't ever know what the problem was. I wish I could have avoided all of the hardships but I guess that's life. You live and learn! At least with the next babies I'll know what to look for!

Thanks for your help and support!