Flip the lip?
Have you ever heard of tongue tie? This is when the “connecter” under one’s tongue is too far forward. It can happen with one’s upper and lower lip too.
By flipping up the upper and lower lips one can determine if the lip “connecter” is connected the lip too closely. This can impact feeding and oral motor movement.
Upper lip tie refers to the band of tissue or frenum that attached the upper lip to the upper gums. If it ties too closely an infant may not be able to latch on for feeding, effectively coordinate suck/swallow/breathe or clear a spoon and develop a mature swallow pattern.
In breast and bottle feeding an infant may not be able to latch and swallow adequately. One sign that is often seen is a callus on the baby’s upper lip. The mother may also complain about painful nursing. With bottle feeding the child may have a poor lip seal.
In addition to difficulties feeding the child may be more gassy and fussy. The infant may fatigue while feeding. The baby may not be able to use a pacifier.
When spoon feeding the child may not be able to clean the spoon with her top lip. The child may also have inadequate caloric intake. Lip restriction may impair development of a mature swallow.
In finger feeding the child may not be able to adequately manipulate food to efficiently bite, chew and swallow. The child may have more picky eating tendencies because certain foods are more challenging to manipulate with reduced oral motor mobility.
There can also be issues with oral hygiene and dentition. Early dental decay can be present to food residue being trapped under the tight upper lip. There also may be changes in dentition due to immature swallow patterns.
Lip ties can be repaired by an ENT or a pediatric dentist.
If you have questions about and feeding, swallowing or oral motor issues call the Rosenberg Center at 651-636-4155.