Lip Tie in Babies and Children: Signs, Feeding Problems and Treatment

If you have heard the term lip tie, perhaps from a friend, online or at a feeding appointment, you may be wondering what it is, whether your baby or child has one and whether it matters. It is a confusing topic, and the advice you find online can be conflicting.

This guide explains what a lip tie is, how it differs from a normal frenulum, the signs parents notice, what is known about lip ties and feeding, who to see first and what treatment involves. It is written for parents and carers.

This article is general information only. It is not a diagnosis, and it does not give feeding advice. For feeding concerns, speak with a lactation consultant, child health nurse or your GP.

What is a Lip Tie?

The upper labial frenulum is the small fold of tissue beneath the upper lip. When it is unusually tight or restricts lip movement, it may be described as a lip tie. It can limit how far the upper lip lifts.

The term is sometimes also used for the band under the lower lip, though the upper lip is the one most often discussed.

Lip Tie vs Normal: Every Baby Has a Frenulum

Every baby, child and adult has a frenulum under the upper lip. It is a normal part of the mouth, and it varies a lot in size and where it attaches.

A frenulum that looks thick or attaches low is not automatically a lip tie, and it does not necessarily cause problems. The question is whether it is actually limiting how the lip moves, and whether it is causing a problem. That is a judgement for a health professional, and even among them, opinions differ.

Signs Parents May Notice

Parents sometimes notice:

• A visible band of tissue that looks tight, or reaches down towards the front gum.
• An upper lip that doesn’t seem to lift or curl out easily.
• A small blister or mark on the upper lip in a young baby.
• A gap between the upper front teeth in an older child.
• Difficulty brushing the front teeth because the band catches.

These signs can all happen without a lip tie. Many babies and children with a visible frenulum have no problems at all.

Lip Tie and Feeding Problems: What the Evidence Says

Feeding difficulties are the main reason parents ask about lip ties, and they have many possible causes. The Australian Breastfeeding Association says that tongue-tie isn’t always the reason for feeding problems, and that breastfeeding support to improve positioning and attachment is often the first step. It also says there isn’t yet enough evidence about whether upper lip ties affect breastfeeding, or whether releasing them helps (Australian Breastfeeding Association, “Tongue-tie and breastfeeding”, June 2026).

In other words, the evidence for lip ties is less clear than for tongue-tie. If you are struggling with feeding, a lip tie may or may not be part of the picture, and it is worth having the whole situation looked at.

Who to See First

For feeding concerns, start with a lactation consultant, child health nurse or your GP. They can look at how feeding is going, positioning and attachment, and your baby’s weight and growth. They can also tell you whether further assessment is worthwhile.

A dentist can look at your child’s mouth and teeth. A dentist is not the first person to see for a feeding problem, but can be part of the team if a health professional recommends it.

Upper Lip Tie in Toddlers and Older Children

In toddlers, the concerns are different from those in a newborn. Parents may notice:

• The band catching or feeling sore when brushing the front teeth.
• A gap between the upper front teeth. This is common in young children, and it often changes as more teeth come through.
• Concerns about speech. If you are worried about your child’s speech, a speech pathologist can assess it.

Your child’s dentist can look at the frenulum at a check-up and explain whether it needs attention or monitoring. Our article on your child’s first dental visit explains what to expect.

How a Lip Tie is Assessed

A health professional will usually:

• Ask about feeding, brushing, speech and any concerns.
• Look at the frenulum and see how far the lip lifts.
• Look at the rest of the mouth and the teeth.
• Consider other possible causes of any problem.
• Suggest whether any action, or referral to another professional, is needed.

An assessment can find a tight frenulum without it being the cause of a problem, so the decision often turns on whether it is causing difficulty.

Treatment Options

Many lip ties need no treatment. The options a health professional may discuss include:

• Watching and waiting. For many children, a visible frenulum causes no problems.
• Feeding support. For babies, help from a lactation consultant with positioning and attachment.
• Support for brushing and keeping the area clean.
• A release. In some cases, a procedure to cut or remove the frenulum, called a frenotomy or frenectomy, may be discussed. It is done by a suitably trained practitioner, and it is considered case by case.

Because the evidence for lip tie releases is limited, a release is not a routine treatment. Ask the practitioner what they are treating, why they recommend it and what the alternatives are.

Risks and Limits of a Lip Tie Release

A release is a surgical procedure, and all surgical procedures carry risks. They include:

• Bleeding and infection.
• Discomfort, and for babies, disrupted feeding for a time.
• The frenulum reattaching or scarring.
• Sedation or anaesthesia risks in older children, if used.

There are also limits. A release may not improve feeding or other concerns, and results vary between children. It does not replace feeding support.

When to Get Help

Contact your GP or child health nurse promptly if your baby:

• Isn’t gaining weight, or seems to lose weight.
• Is having far fewer wet nappies than usual.
• Is very sleepy, or too tired to feed.
• Feeds poorly or refuses to feed.

If your baby is very unwell or has trouble breathing, call 000.

Lip Tie FAQs

Does every baby with a visible frenulum have a lip tie?

No. Everyone has a frenulum, and many look prominent without causing any problem. A health professional decides whether it is limiting movement or causing difficulty.

Does a lip tie cause a gap between the front teeth?

Not necessarily. A gap between the upper front teeth is common in children, and it often changes as more teeth come through. If it persists, your dentist can look at it as part of a check-up.

Can a lip tie affect breastfeeding?

It is not clear. The Australian Breastfeeding Association says there isn’t yet enough evidence about whether upper lip ties affect breastfeeding or whether releasing them helps. If feeding is difficult, a lactation consultant can look at the whole picture.

Does my child need a release?

Often not. Many children need no treatment. If a health professional suggests a release, ask why, what the benefits and risks are and what the alternatives would be.

Book Your Child’s Check-up in Thornton

Wondering about your child’s mouth, or due for a check-up? The next step is a visit.

At Thornton Dental, your dentist can look at your child’s teeth and mouth, answer your questions and advise whether anything needs attention or a referral. You can also read about children’s dentistry in Thornton.

Call us on (02) 4966 2996 or book online to arrange a check-up.

We are at Thornton Shopping Centre, Shop 30/1 Taylor Ave, Thornton NSW 2322, and we welcome patients from Thornton, Maitland, East Maitland, Metford, Beresfield and the surrounding areas.

Source: Australian Breastfeeding Association, “Tongue-tie and breastfeeding”, June 2026.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a registered health practitioner. All surgical and invasive procedures carry risks. Results vary between patients.