How Oral Ties Changed My Breastfeeding Experiences

March 15, 2025•7 min read

How Oral Ties Changed My Breastfeeding Experiences

I thought it was normal. The discomfort, the endless cluster feeding, the spit-up (far past the newborn stage up to 7 months postpartum), the gas my sweet baby seemed to always have no matter what I tried to do. I was a first-time mom, and I assumed this was just part of breastfeeding. My baby would nurse every 30 minutes—nonstop for months—and I had pain during nursing that could only be alleviated with using a nipple shield every feed — and I convinced myself that was just how it was supposed to be. But something wasn’t right.

She was colicky, throwing up constantly, and struggling with painful gas. Then, I developed a clogged duct that almost turned into mastitis. (If you’re struggling with clogged ducts, this is the #1 item that saved me—The One Thing That Finally Unclogged My Stubborn Milk Duct. Everything felt overwhelming, and I started to wonder if breastfeeding was even sustainable for us.

The Moment Everything Clicked

One day, when my baby was about three months old, I looked at her upper lip more closely. I noticed a thick frenulum, and she couldn’t fully stretch her top lip up. The more I researched, the more I realized she wasn’t able to flange her upper lip while nursing—which explained all of our struggles.

I brought it up to her pediatrician, who quickly dismissed it. She told me oral ties were overdiagnosed. But deep down, my mom instinct told me otherwise. I decided to get a second opinion from a pediatric dentist. Within minutes, they confirmed what I suspected: she had a double lip tie.

Preparing for Her Oral Tie Release

Once we had a diagnosis, the dentist recommended that we prepare her mouth for the procedure with craniosacral therapy. Since she was nearing seven months and had been nursing incorrectly for so long, her facial muscles had adapted to a poor latch. This therapy helped loosen those muscles and made the transition smoother after her oral tie release.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on technique that works with the body's craniosacral system—consisting of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The therapy aims to release tension in the central nervous system, which can have a direct effect on the muscles and structures in the head, neck, and jaw. For infants with oral ties, CST can help to relax and realign facial and jaw muscles that may have become tight or misaligned due to improper feeding habits (Upledger Institute, 2023). This pre-release therapy can improve the baby’s ability to latch properly and make the recovery process smoother after the procedure.

The Oral Tie Release Procedure

The actual procedure was quick—a simple laser release that vaporized the thick tissue in just minutes. She came back to me within four minutes, and when I nursed her immediately afterward, I was stunned.

For the first time, breastfeeding wasn’t painful.

For the first time, she wasn’t gulping air and spitting up.

For the first time, she latched correctly without a shield or extra support.

It was a complete game changer. We went on to breastfeed peacefully until she was two years old.

What Helped Her Heal (And What Changed Everything for Me)

After the procedure, I had to do a series of mouth stretches to prevent the frenulum from reattaching. This was the hardest part. She hated them, and I hated having to do them—but they were necessary.

To support her healing, I used Arnica tablets to help with pain and inflammation. I was amazed at how effective Arnica was in relieving her pain, and this moment was what led me down a more holistic path. Before this, I didn’t know much about natural remedies, but this experience changed everything.

➡️ Read more about how this led me into a holistic lifestyle and the natural swaps I started making here - How I Found My Way to a More Natural Lifestyle.

Could This Be Happening to Your Baby?

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it might be worth looking into an oral tie:

✔️ Poor latch

✔️ Clicking sound while nursing

✔️ Reflux/spitting up excessively

✔️ Colic or excessive fussiness

✔️ Gas and bloating issues

✔️ Long feeding sessions but still hungry

✔️ Gagging/choking while nursing

✔️ Frequent clogged ducts/mastitis

✔️ Lip blisters from nursing

According to the International Affiliation of Tongue-tie Professionals (IATP), these are common signs that a baby may have an oral tie, which can significantly impact their ability to feed properly and may lead to long-term difficulties if left untreated (IATP, 2023).

I also created a downloadable checklist to help moms assess whether their baby might have an oral tie. You can grab it here → Could Your Baby Have an Oral Tie: Common Symptoms to Look For Checklist. If you do suspect an oral tie after reviewing this information, you will want to verify this to be sure with a dentist that has experience in pediatric dentistry and releasing oral ties.

Why This Matters

If you suspect your baby has an oral tie, trust your instincts. Some doctors might dismiss it, but seeking a second opinion from a pediatric dentist or lactation consultant can make all the difference. If your baby is struggling with latch issues, pain, reflux, or excessive feeding, getting an evaluation could be life-changing—just like it was for us.

Having a baby's oral ties (tongue-tie or lip-tie) repaired is crucial because untreated ties can lead to speech delays, dental issues like misalignment or tooth decay, and difficulty with breastfeeding, which can affect nutrition and bonding (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2023). Additionally, untreated oral ties can cause problems with oral motor skills, including chewing and swallowing, which may persist into childhood (IATP, 2023). Addressing these issues early can help ensure better long-term oral health and development.

Also, if your baby is dealing with digestion struggles, I highly recommend having Earthley’s Infant Tummy Relief on hand. It’s an herbal blend that helps with reflux, gas, and tummy discomfort. I used it with my second baby, and it made a huge difference in those early newborn days.

oral ties breastfeeding tummy gas relief infants

➡️ Here you can get your Infant Tummy Relief .

The Second Time Around: What I Did Differently

With my second baby, I immediately noticed signs of an oral tie again. This time, I knew what to look for. We got her tie released at just three weeks old, and everything went so much smoother. No colic, no painful latch, no endless cluster feeding.

If you’re breastfeeding and struggling, don’t give up just yet. It might not be you—it might be something as simple as a latch issue or an oral tie. And if that’s the case, getting it treated could completely change your experience.

➡️ Want more breastfeeding tips? I have a blog for you for this here-. My Must-Have Breastfeeding Products as a Two-Time Exclusively Breastfeeding Mom.

Final Thoughts

As moms, we’re constantly told what’s right and wrong—especially when it comes to breastfeeding. But ultimately, we know our babies best. If something feels off, don’t be afraid to dig deeper and seek help.

And if you’re a new mom preparing for the newborn stage, I highly recommend having a few natural remedies on hand. Earthley’s Infant Tummy Relief is something I’ll never go without now, and I think every mom should have it ready from day one.

Check out more of my favorite baby items HERE and breastfeeding items HERE. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

More Breastfeeding Experience Questions? Let’s Connect!

Want more breastfeeding tips or other ways to help nurture your baby's health? For more ideas and support, you can follow me on:

Citations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2023). Speech and language issues related to tongue-tie. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org

International Affiliation of Tongue-tie Professionals. (2023). Impact of untreated tongue-tie on speech and development. Retrieved from https://www.advanced-tongue-tie-solutions.com

International Affiliation of Tongue-tie Professionals. (2023). Signs and symptoms of oral ties in infants. Retrieved from https://www.advanced-tongue-tie-solutions.com

Upledger Institute. (2023). Craniosacral Therapy for Infants and Children: How it Helps with Oral Ties. Retrieved from https://www.upledger.com

Jordyn Giorgi

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