The Tie That Gets Less Attention
Tongue-tie gets most of the spotlight. Its quieter companion, the lip-tie, often gets overlooked, even though it can affect feeding in its own right and frequently shows up alongside a tongue-tie. If you've lifted your baby's upper lip and noticed a thick band of tissue, you've probably got questions.
This guide covers lip-tie from top to bottom: what it is, how to spot it, how it affects feeding, when it matters, and what your options are. The goal is to give you a clear, calm understanding so you can decide what, if anything, to do.
At Latched Beginnings in Austin, Dr. Kacie Culotta evaluates lip-ties as part of every consultation, never in isolation. Here's everything parents should know.
What Is a Lip-Tie?
A lip-tie is a restriction of the labial frenulum, the band of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gum. Every baby has this frenulum. It becomes a lip-tie when the tissue is too tight, too thick, or attached too low, limiting how the upper lip can move and flange outward.
During feeding, the upper lip is meant to flange out, like a fish, to help create a deep, effective seal. A restrictive lip-tie keeps the lip tucked in instead, which can lead to a shallow latch and the cascade of issues that follow.
Signs and Symptoms of a Lip-Tie
Lip-ties can show up in the baby, in the nursing parent, or both.
Signs in the Baby
An upper lip that stays curled or tucked in during feeds rather than flanging out. A shallow latch. Clicking or losing suction. Milk leaking from the corners of the mouth. Excessive gas from swallowed air. A callus or blister on the upper lip. Difficulty staying latched. A tight or thick band visible when you lift the upper lip.
Signs in the Nursing Parent
Nipple pain and a compressed, lipstick-shaped nipple after feeds. Cracked or damaged nipples. Plugged ducts or mastitis from incomplete drainage. A feeling that your baby can't get a deep latch no matter how you position them.
How to Check for a Lip-Tie at Home
You can do a gentle home check. Wash your hands, then carefully lift your baby's upper lip up toward their nose. Look at the band of tissue between the lip and the gum. Notice how thick it is and where it attaches. A frenulum that's thick and attaches low, close to or between where the front teeth will come in, may be a lip-tie.
A word of caution. The appearance alone doesn't tell the whole story. Plenty of babies have a visible frenulum that causes no problems at all. What matters is function: whether the lip can flange and whether feeding is affected. A home check is a starting point, not a diagnosis.
Lip-Tie and Tongue-Tie Together
Lip-ties and tongue-ties often occur together because the tissues form during the same window of development. Many babies we evaluate at Latched Beginnings for a tongue-tie also have a lip-tie contributing to feeding issues. The two can compound each other, with the tongue unable to lift and the lip unable to flange.
This is exactly why we never evaluate one tie in isolation. Releasing a tongue-tie while leaving a significant lip-tie in place can mean a family doesn't get the full improvement they hoped for. A complete evaluation looks at the tongue, the lip, and the cheeks together.
Does Every Lip-Tie Need to Be Released?
No, and this is important. Many lip-ties cause no functional problems and never need treatment. A visible frenulum is not automatically a problem to fix. The decision to release a lip-tie depends on whether it's actually interfering with feeding, comfort, or, later, dental health.
At Latched Beginnings, our approach is conservative and aligned with American Academy of Pediatrics guidance against overtreatment. We recommend release only when the lip-tie is meaningfully affecting function, not just because it's visible. Some families come in worried about a prominent lip-tie and leave reassured that it doesn't need anything.
Lip-Tie Release: What to Know
When a release is appropriate, it's a quick procedure. Dr. Culotta uses the LightScalpel CO2 laser, the gold standard, to release the restrictive tissue in a few minutes. It's done with topical numbing and comfort measures, and it's often performed at the same visit as a tongue-tie release if both are present.
Recovery mirrors a tongue-tie release. Babies may be mildly fussy for a day or two, and gentle post-op stretches of the upper lip help prevent reattachment and support healing. Most families are coached through the exercises in person and given written instructions to take home.
How Latched Beginnings Evaluates Lip-Ties in Austin
If you've been staring at that little band of tissue wondering whether it's the answer to your feeding struggles, you don't have to guess. You can get a real evaluation.
Dr. Kacie Culotta, DDS is the only dentist in Austin who holds both a laser certification for tongue-tie and lip-tie releases and a lactation counselor certification. That means she evaluates the lip in the context of feeding function, not just appearance. She watches a feed, examines all three potential restriction sites, and tells you honestly whether the lip-tie is actually causing problems.
If a release is the right call, we use the gold-standard laser and support you through recovery. If the lip-tie is harmless, we'll tell you that and save you an unnecessary procedure. Whole-baby care means looking at the whole mouth, and giving you the truth about what you see.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lip-tie in babies?
A lip-tie is a restriction of the band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum, called the labial frenulum. It becomes a lip-tie when the tissue is too tight, thick, or attached too low, limiting how the upper lip flanges outward during feeding. This can lead to a shallow latch and related feeding issues.
How do I know if my baby has a lip-tie?
Signs include an upper lip that stays tucked in during feeds, a shallow latch, clicking, milk leaking from the corners of the mouth, gas, and a thick band visible when you lift the upper lip. In the nursing parent, signs include nipple pain and a lipstick-shaped nipple. A functional evaluation confirms whether it's affecting feeding.
How do I check my baby for a lip-tie at home?
Wash your hands and gently lift your baby's upper lip toward their nose. Look at the band of tissue between the lip and gum, noting its thickness and where it attaches. A thick frenulum attaching close to or between where the front teeth will come in may be a lip-tie, but appearance alone isn't a diagnosis. Function matters most.
Does a lip-tie always need to be released?
No. Many lip-ties cause no functional problems and never need treatment. A visible frenulum is not automatically a problem. Release is recommended only when the lip-tie is meaningfully affecting feeding, comfort, or dental health. Latched Beginnings takes a conservative approach aligned with American Academy of Pediatrics guidance against overtreatment.
Do lip-ties and tongue-ties happen together?
Often, yes. Lip-ties and tongue-ties form during the same developmental window, so they frequently occur together. Many babies evaluated for a tongue-tie also have a lip-tie contributing to feeding issues. This is why a thorough evaluation examines the tongue, lip, and cheeks together rather than one in isolation.
How is a lip-tie release done?
A lip-tie release is a quick procedure, often using a CO2 laser like the LightScalpel to release the restrictive tissue in a few minutes. It's performed with topical numbing and comfort measures and is frequently done at the same visit as a tongue-tie release. Gentle post-op upper lip stretches support healing and prevent reattachment.
Can a lip-tie affect my baby's teeth later?
It can in some cases. A prominent lip-tie may be associated with a gap between the upper front teeth or, by trapping milk and food against the teeth, a higher decay risk in that area. Not every lip-tie causes dental issues, and many gaps close on their own. A pediatric dentist can assess whether treatment is warranted.
Where can I get my baby evaluated for a lip-tie in Austin?
Latched Beginnings at 1701 Simond Ave, Suite 107A in Austin evaluates lip-ties as part of every consultation. Dr. Kacie Culotta holds both a laser certification and a lactation counselor certification. We serve families across Austin, Mueller, East Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, and Georgetown.
Call to Action
If you've been wondering whether your baby might have a tongue-tie, you don't have to figure it out alone. Dr. Kacie Culotta and the all-mom team at Latched Beginnings are here to listen, evaluate, and walk you through what's actually going on with your baby. Schedule a 1-on-1 consultation in Austin and let's talk through it together. Trust your instincts. We'll take it from there.
