Stretches and Aftercare

POST FRENECTOMY AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

Muscles around the mouth, jaw, neck, and throughout the body can be tense from a tongue tie; improving tongue motion along with whole body posture and movement is important to the success of the release.

Goal:

Full tongue motion in all directions (up, out, side to side) to allow released tissue to heal with more flexibility and strength for better feeding function.

When?

4x/day for 4 weeks, it may be helpful to do after a feeding when the infant is relaxed and tongue is warmed up with movement; follow with a feeding to further apply new movement.

How?

Massage and tongue lifts to strengthen head, face, and mouth muscles, 4 repetitions each; tummy time.

1. Facial massage: slowly stroke around eyes, across cheeks, downward from ears to chin, and then around mouth
What you should see: some jaw opening with tongue movement upward and outward
2. Oral massage: slowly trace lower gum and upper gum side to side
What you should see: tongue moving side to side
3. Tongue lifts: gently press downward under one side of the tongue and hold a few seconds, gently press down on the other side and hold a few seconds, follow with gently pressing down on both sides simultaneously and then lifting the tongue
What you should see: tongue lifting upward with a white or yellowish diamond-shaped wound underneath that gets thinner as it heals
4. Lip Lifts: place fingers in fold of front upper lip and gently pull upward to cover nostrils
5. Tummy Time: see www.tummytimemethod.com

What you should see:

Hands coming to mouth, jaw opening, tongue coming out as with latching, head movement equally side to side.

Recommendations/Insights:

Follow-up with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) within 2-3 days.
Sometimes there is an immediate improvement in feeding and sometimes it is incremental.
Skin to skin and warm baths can be comforting.
Additional work with a bodyworker (PT, OT, DO, Chiropractor, Craniosacral Therapist, Massage Therapist skilled in working with infants) to facilitate more balanced movement and function.

Pain Control:

Skin to skin, frequent breastfeeding as able, warm baths.
Children’s Tylenol starting upon return home and every 4-6 hours for 2-3 days.