Aftercare

Care after a lip or tongue release is just as important to an excellent outcome as the procedure itself. If wounds are not managed properly the chances of reattachment are high and the feeding improvements will be minimal. It is ideal to begin these exercises prior to the release if possible.

Wound Management

The goal of the manual exercises is to prevent healing by primary intention (healing back together or re-attachment) and promote healing by secondary intention (like a scab)

Sleeping Stretches

Possibly one of the most important stretches for the diamond shaped wound is done while the infant is sleeping. The Sleeping Tongue Posture Hold should be done any time your infant falls asleep.

strength and function exercises

Once a tongue tie has been released the muscles must be retrained for proper function. These exercises can be done multiple times throughout the day while interacting with the baby during play.

wound management

Exercises

In order for the diamond shaped wound to heal without reattachment it must be opened and stretched every 6 hours throughout the day and at least once during the night for both the lip and tongue. The healing process takes months and exercises will be modified to each child’s needs at follow up appointments.

Lip

Coming from behind the baby’s head, place both fingers under the lip and lift, covering the nose. The diamond shaped wound should be fully visible. Use your finger to complete a rolling-pin or sweeping notion from top to bottom and then side to side through the wound. This should be done every 6 hours including at least once at night time for at least 2 weeks.

Tongue

Coming from behind baby’s head, stabilize the lower jaw with your middle finger and lip with your thumb. Place your finger (nail side up) on the floor of the mouth near the bone. “Scoop” your finger through the wound front to back and then side to side. This should be done every 6 hours including at least once at night time for at least 2-4 weeks depending on healing.

It’s not infected!

The natural process of healing by secondary intention creates a white to yellow “scab” over the wound. This is protection, not an infection.

strength and function exercises

TummyTime!

TummyTime!™️ is an interactive head and neck workout that works out the tongue too. Anybody can participate in playing, making sounds or introducing toys while encouraging lifting and side to side head movement. Under two months of age infants should be spending at least 30 minutes in tummy time over the course of the day. That should be increased to an hour or more by 4 months of age. Tummy time can be split into multiple sessions throughout the day. For more information visit Michelle Emmanuel at www.tummytimemethod.com

Guppy

The Guppy encourages stretching and strengthening of the neck and tongue. From your lap or over a pillow allow baby’s head to gently tip back. Using interesting or noisy toys encourage the baby to move their head back and forth.

Tongue strengthening exercises

• Tug-of-war - Allow baby to latch on to your finger and gently pull tug-of-war with their tongue

• Breaking latch- Allow baby to latch on to your finger. After suck has been establish, roll your finger over to break suction. Roll your finger back and allow suck to be established again

• Side to side- With baby’s mouth open, rub the outside of their lower gums and watch their tongue follow your finger