You’re three weeks into what you thought would be a beautiful breastfeeding journey. Instead, you’re dreading every feed. Your nipples are cracked and bleeding. Your baby clicks constantly while nursing and never seems satisfied. The pediatrician at Froedtert checked for tongue-tie but said everything looks fine.
Here’s what might be happening: your baby could have a lip tie.
A lip tie occurs when the tissue connecting your baby’s upper lip to their gum is too tight or thick. This restricts how far the lip can flange outward during feeding. Without proper lip mobility, your baby can’t create the deep seal needed for effective nursing or bottle-feeding.
Most pediatricians focus on tongue movement during newborn exams. But lip ties are just as important for feeding success. Left unaddressed, a lip tie causes feeding pain for you, slow weight gain for your baby, and exhaustion for your entire family.
We see families from Wauwatosa, Mequon, Germantown, and across the Milwaukee metro area at our Brookfield office on Water Tower Blvd. Our gentle laser procedure can release both lip and tongue restrictions in one visit, often transforming feeding struggles into peaceful nursing sessions within hours.
Ready to stop waiting and start getting answers? Let’s help you understand what signs to watch for and what comes next.
Common Lip Tie Symptoms That Show Up During Feeding
Watch for these signs that point to a lip tie restriction:
Latch and positioning problems:
- Your baby can’t flange their upper lip outward, creating a shallow, pinched latch
- Clicking or smacking sounds throughout the feed (not just at letdown)
- Milk leaking from the corners of your baby’s mouth while nursing
- A visible band of tight tissue between the upper lip and gum that turns white when lifted
Extended feeding struggles:
- Nursing sessions stretch to 40+ minutes with your baby still seeming hungry
- Your little one falls asleep from exhaustion before finishing a complete feed
- You’re experiencing painful nursing despite trying different positions and techniques
Physical signs in your baby:
- A callus or blister forming on the upper lip from compensating during feeds
- Excessive gassiness and frequent spit-up or reflux symptoms
- Weight gain that’s slower than expected at pediatric checkups
Many Brookfield and Wauwatosa families notice these patterns in the first few weeks after delivery. If you delivered at Froedtert Birth Center or Aurora Sinai, you might’ve been told these issues would resolve on their own. But when a lip tie is involved, positioning changes alone won’t fix the underlying restriction.
Quick Assessment Tip: Gently lift your baby’s upper lip. If you see a thick band of tissue extending far down the gum, or if the lip doesn’t move freely, a lip tie evaluation makes sense.
| Lip Tie Symptom | What You’ll Notice | Impact on Feeding |
|---|---|---|
| Poor lip flanging | Upper lip stays tucked in during nursing | Shallow latch, nipple pain |
| Clicking sounds | Constant clicking throughout feed | Loss of suction, inefficient milk transfer |
| Milk leakage | Milk spills from corners of mouth | Poor seal, baby swallows excess air |
| Extended feeds | 40+ minute nursing sessions | Baby exhaustion, maternal fatigue |
| Lip callus/blister | White or raw spot on upper lip | Sign of compensatory sucking |
| Slow weight gain | Below expected growth curve | Ineffective milk removal |
Why Lip Ties Are Missed by Pediatricians and Lactation Consultants
You’re not imagining things if multiple providers have missed your baby’s lip tie. Here’s why it happens so often:
Training gaps in medical education: Most pediatricians weren’t taught to assess upper lip mobility during residency. Standard newborn exams focus on tongue movement, heart rate, and reflexes. The upper lip just isn’t part of the routine checklist.
No universal grading system: Unlike tongue-ties, which have established classification scales, lip ties don’t have agreed-upon severity ratings. What one provider calls “mild” might be “significant” to another. Some dismiss lip ties entirely because they’re harder to quantify.
Misdiagnosed root causes: When babies show signs of feeding difficulty, many providers jump to other explanations. Reflux medications get prescribed when the real issue is aerophagia—your baby swallowing air from a poor lip seal. Families get told “breastfeeding is just hard at first” or “your baby will grow into it.”
This isn’t intentional dismissal. Most providers genuinely want to help. They’re working with the training they received, which often didn’t include comprehensive tethered oral tissue assessment.
The exhausting cycle: By the time families reach our Brookfield office, they’ve often tried:
- Three different lactation consultants
- Multiple latch positions and techniques
- Nipple shields and special bottles
- Reflux medications that didn’t help
Mequon and Germantown families frequently tell us they cycled through several providers before learning about lip ties. You end up researching at 3 AM during cluster feeds, wondering if there’s something everyone’s missing.
There is. And it’s treatable.
How a Lip Tie Differs from a Tongue-Tie and Why Both Matter
Think of feeding like a two-part system: your baby’s tongue drives milk transfer while their lip creates the seal. Both pieces need to work properly.
Tongue-tie effects:
- Restricts how far the tongue can extend, elevate, and cup
- Makes it harder to compress the breast and extract milk efficiently
- Can cause a clicking sound as the tongue breaks suction repeatedly
Lip tie effects:
- Prevents the upper lip from flanging outward to create a deep seal
- Allows air to enter during feeding, causing gas and reflux symptoms
- Makes it difficult to maintain suction, leading to frequent re-latching
Here’s what many families don’t realize: about 60% of babies with tongue-ties also have lip ties. Releasing only the tongue without addressing the lip often leaves feeding problems partially unresolved.
Why comprehensive evaluation matters: At our Brookfield office, we assess both structures during the same visit. This matters because families driving from Wauwatosa, Menomonee Falls, or Mequon deserve a complete evaluation—not just a quick tongue check.
We look at:
- Tongue mobility and range of motion
- Upper lip flexibility and attachment
- Overall oral function during feeding
- How the restrictions work together to affect latch
Some babies need only a tongue-tie release. Others need both. And occasionally, a baby has a lip tie without a tongue-tie. The only way to know for sure is a thorough assessment by someone trained in tethered oral tissues.
The American Academy of Pediatrics breastfeeding guidelines emphasize the importance of identifying and addressing anatomical barriers to successful breastfeeding, including both tongue and lip restrictions.
What Happens During a Laser Lip and Tongue-Tie Release in Brookfield
The laser procedure is gentler than most parents expect. Here’s exactly what happens:
Before the procedure:
- You’ll stay in the room with your baby the entire time
- We explain each step so you know what to expect
- The laser equipment is prepared—it’s quiet and precise, not like surgical tools
During the release: Our soft-tissue laser targets only the restricted tissue. No scalpels, no stitches, minimal bleeding. The laser essentially vaporizes the tight bands while leaving healthy tissue untouched.
- Most infant releases take 2-4 minutes from start to finish
- If both lip and tongue restrictions are present, we address both in the same visit
- You can comfort your baby immediately—no waiting period
Immediately after:
- Your baby can breastfeed or bottle-feed right away
- Many families notice improved latch quality at that first feed
- Some fussiness is normal for 24-48 hours as your baby adjusts to new oral mobility
Technology advantage: Our Brookfield office on Water Tower Blvd uses advanced laser technology specifically designed for infant oral tissue. The precision means faster healing and less discomfort compared to traditional surgical methods.
The goal isn’t just to release the restriction—it’s to restore proper oral function so feeding becomes what it should be: comfortable for you and effective for your baby.
Recovery and Feeding Improvement After a Laser Release
Most babies return to normal feeding patterns within hours. Here’s what the healing process looks like:
First 48 hours:
- Some increased fussiness as your baby discovers new tongue and lip range
- The release sites look like small white patches—this is normal healing
- Your baby might nurse differently at first, exploring their new mobility
Aftercare essentials:
- Gentle stretching exercises several times daily for 2-3 weeks
- These stretches keep the release sites open while healing
- We’ll show you exactly how to do them before you leave the office
Improvement timeline:
- Within days: Reduced nipple pain, less clicking during feeds
- Within a week: Better weight gain becomes apparent
- Within 2-3 weeks: Reflux symptoms and gassiness often decrease significantly
Ongoing support: We coordinate with lactation consultants, bodyworkers, and pediatricians throughout the Milwaukee metro area. Whether you’re in Ozaukee County or Washington County, the aftercare plan remains consistent.
A post-procedure follow-up visit confirms proper healing and addresses any concerns. Many families tell us this follow-up is when they realize how dramatically feeding has improved.
For additional feeding support resources and educational materials, the International Childbirth Education Association provides comprehensive guidance for new parents navigating breastfeeding challenges.
Reaching Water Tower Blvd from Wauwatosa, Mequon, and Germantown
Getting to our Brookfield office is easier than you might think, even with a fussy baby in tow.
Office location: 20350 Water Tower Blvd Suite 202, Brookfield, WI 53045
From Wauwatosa: About 10-12 minutes west via Bluemound Road or North Avenue. If you’re near Tosa Village, just head west—you’ll hit Brookfield quickly. US-45 and I-41 access makes it simple from anywhere in Wauwatosa.
From Mequon: About 25 minutes south on I-41/US-45. The highway runs directly through Menomonee Falls and Butler straight to the Brookfield area. It’s mostly highway driving, which many babies sleep through.
From Germantown: Same route as Mequon families—25 minutes south on I-41/US-45. You’ll pass through familiar territory if you shop at The Corners of Brookfield or Brookfield Square.
Menomonee Falls families: You’re right in between—about 12-15 minutes south on US-45 or Appleton Avenue.
Parking and accessibility:
- Free parking at the building
- No meters, ramps, or complicated downtown navigation
- Easy access with car seats and diaper bags
Scheduling for urgent needs: We prioritize same-week availability for infant feeding concerns. Call (414) 935-8460 to check current openings.
Hours: Monday-Thursday starting at 8 AM, Friday by appointment. This works well for parents juggling pediatric appointments and partner schedules.
FAQs
How long does it take to drive from Mequon or Germantown to the Brookfield office?
About 25 minutes south on I-41/US-45; the highway leads directly to the Brookfield area near Water Tower Blvd. It’s mostly highway driving, so even with a fussy baby, the trip is manageable.
Can a lip tie be released at the same visit as a tongue-tie?
Yes, if both restrictions are present, we typically release both during the same laser procedure. This saves you multiple trips and addresses the complete feeding issue in one visit.
How old does my baby need to be for a lip tie evaluation?
Babies can be evaluated at any age, but most families come during the first few weeks when feeding problems feel most urgent. The earlier we address restrictions, the faster feeding improves.
Will my baby be able to nurse right after the procedure?
Yes, most babies breastfeed or bottle-feed immediately after the laser release, often with a noticeably improved latch. You don’t need to wait—feeding actually helps the healing process.
Our Wauwatosa pediatrician said the lip tie isn’t concerning. Should I still get it checked?
A second opinion from a provider who specializes in tethered oral tissue can confirm whether the lip tie is affecting feeding. Many lip ties get dismissed because they’re not part of routine newborn assessments.
Do I need a referral from a lactation consultant or pediatrician?
No referral needed. Families can call our Brookfield office directly at (414) 935-8460 to schedule an infant evaluation. We understand feeding struggles don’t wait for referral paperwork.
Ready to stop struggling with feeding and start getting answers?
Call (414) 935-8460 to check same-week availability for infant lip and tongue-tie evaluations at our Brookfield office. Many families driving from Wauwatosa, Mequon, and Germantown leave their first visit with a clear plan and hope that feeding can actually get better.
