Post-Operative Care
Dr. Levine will cover the importance of post-operative stretches to allow for an optimal result. Parents will be shown the stretches and sent home with a video that demonstrates them as well.
Frequency: Stretches need to be done 6 times a day for 3 weeks and then will be tapered down on the 4th week.
Guidelines:
- These stretches are NOT meant to be forceful or prolonged. Be quick and precise with your movements.
- It is recommended that you purchase an affordable LED headlight to allow you to get the best results.
- We highly encourage you to approach these exercises in a positive manner.
What to Expect Following the Procedure
- Feeding: Often breastfeeding alone, more frequently than usual, will suffice. If breastfeeding is not possible for you, your IBCLC can instruct you on how to hand-express or pump milk to feed your baby. The use of nipple shields may help if breastfeeding is still painful, but finger feeding will eliminate all risks of nipple confusion. The priority is to ensure your baby is hydrated and fed by ensuring correct breast drainage, which will prevent any risk of engorgement.
- Changes: You may notice that the upper lip is now freed into a fuller position. This is due to the tension release of the previously underlying frenum. Swelling, if any, will be slight and located under the nose, where it meets the lip. This newfound lip and tongue mobility may be confusing to your baby as they adjusts to the improved muscle freedom.
- Healing: The day after treatment, you will notice a white diamond or triangle shape beginning to form in the area under the upper lip or a white line under the tongue (if the tongue tie has been released). The white color of this normal healing process called an eschar, is expected to last for 7-14 days. Soft tissue in the mouth does not form a dry scab.
Sucking Exercises
It’s important to remember that you need to show your child that not everything that you are going to do to the mouth is associated with pain. Additionally, babies can have disorganized or weak sucking patterns that can benefit from exercise.
Starting these exercises from the moment you make your appointment can speed up your recovery after the procedure. The following exercises are simple and can be done to improve suck quality. Aim for 4x/day leading up to the day of your procedure.
- Lower Gumline Rub: Slowly rub the lower gumline from side to side, encouraging your baby’s tongue to follow your finger. This will help strengthen lateral movements of the tongue.
- Sucking Tug-of-War: Let your child suck on your finger and gently pull it out while they try to suck it back in. This strengthens the tongue. This can also be done with a pacifier.
- Palate Pressure: Let your child suck on your finger and apply gentle pressure to the palate. Once the baby starts to suck, press down with the back of your nail into the tongue. This interrupts the sucking motion while the baby pushes back against you. Listen for a seal break, then re-stimulate sucking by placing your finger back on the palate. Repeat as tolerated.
- Cheek Massage: With one index finger inside the baby’s cheek, use your thumb outside the cheek to massage both sides to help reduce tension
