Infant Tongue & Lip Tie Specialist In Newark, DE

Are you struggling with breastfeeding or noticing signs of discomfort in your baby? We understand how overwhelming it can be when feeding becomes a challenge. Our caring team in Newark specializes in diagnosing and treating infant tongue and lip ties, offering gentle solutions that can bring relief to both you and your baby. We’re here to support you and help your baby thrive.

What Is a Tongue Tie?

 A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition where the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight or short, restricting movement. This can cause difficulties with essential functions like breastfeeding, speech, and even breathing. Treating a tongue tie early can prevent long-term issues and improve your child’s overall comfort and development.

How We Gently Treat Tongue & Lip Ties in Infants

Our treatment process is simple, safe, and designed with your baby’s comfort in mind. If your baby is diagnosed with a tongue or lip tie, we offer a quick and effective procedure to release the tie. Using a gentle laser or a small surgical snip, the procedure takes just minutes and promotes immediate improvement in feeding and overall comfort. Our team will guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth recovery for your baby and peace of mind for you.
Ready to Find Relief for Your Baby?
Don’t let tongue or lip ties cause further stress—schedule an appointment with us today. We’re here to answer your questions, provide expert care, and help your baby find comfort and relief. Let us support you on this journey to better feeding and health.

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FAQ

Will my baby need sedation or general anesthesia for a frenectomy?

Infants typically do not require any type of sedation for a frenectomy. Your baby will be swaddled, protective eyewear placed, and either one or two assistants will keep your baby safe and still. Keep in mind that the laser is very precise and controlled, and is very safe even on a crying infant.

For older babies and children, each situation is evaluated on a case by case depending on symptoms, urgency, physical and emotional well being of your child. For older children we may use a combination of laughing gas, a movie, and numbing.

Will you use numbing for my baby?
As a general rule, for newborns less than 2 weeks old no anesthetic is used.  We find that the procedure can be performed so quickly that the risks outweigh the benefits of numbing. For infants 2 weeks and older, we use a topical numbing cream that is custom formulated and safe for babies. We only use this for lip ties as placing numbing under the tongue causes difficulty nursing afterwards.  For older babies and children we may use a combination of topical local anesthetic along with an injection, if needed.
After the procedure, is there anything we need to do?

The short answer is yes! During your appointment we will thoroughly discuss, demonstrate, and give written instructions on home care as we have found it is critical for the success of the frenectomy.

How will my baby feel afterward?
First and foremost, it is important to understand that every baby is different. On average, the younger the baby is, the less we see fussiness. For the average baby one can expect a couple days of fussiness or soreness. At first, feeding can be disorganized because of the tongue’s new range of motion. Until the soreness goes away and the tongue strengthens, this is normal and part of the rehabilitation process. Dr. Green works closely with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and myofunctional therapists to make sure we have all hands on deck in the care and rehabilitation of your baby.
Can I nurse or bottle feed right after?
There are no restrictions, and in fact, we recommend nursing/feeding right after! Nursing and skin to skin will help relax and soothe your baby. We have private rooms so you can take your time.
Is this procedure only for the benefit of breastfeeding or will it help later in life?
When there is a restriction in the normal range of motion of the tongue, it is often first identified in infancy during breastfeeding. Red flags ( link to signs and symptoms) are raised that something isn’t right. Sometimes babies are able to compensate extremely well or the mother may have an oversupply that masks inefficient nursing. Bottle feeding does not require the same mechanics and is generally easier for the baby, which may contribute to undiagnosed tongue ties at cause feeding or speech issues in older children. There are so many factors surrounding proper diagnosis ( link to team approach) which is why it is so very important to have a team approach and a comprehensive evaluation by a specialist such as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Speech language pathologist (SLP) prior to meeting with Dr. Green.

Tongue & Lip Tie Specialist

Meet Dr. Joanna Green

Joanna Green
Pediatric Clinical Director
As a mother of two tongue tied babies, Dr. Joanna Green brings her compassion and experience as a mother and provider to her work. Working alongside infant healthcare specialists, she has developed a comprehensive, compassionate and conservative approach to treating our littlest of patients in a non-dental…