Breastfeeding and Frenulum



       
When your baby is first born it should be the happiest time of your life. You lay in the hospital room and cuddle. The sweet smell of baby is upon you. Then that moment arrives where you are going to breastfeed your baby. When your infant latches on something isn’t quite right. It hurts. The baby isn’t feeding correctly and your doctor comes in and tells you they have a maxillary frenulum. A what? You ask.
           
A maxillary frenulum is an extra thick piece of skin that attaches the roof of your mouth to the gums. Sometimes individuals have one that is thicker and goes between the front teeth while others have one that is shorter and attaches the roof of the mouth closer to the teeth.
           
Questions start flooding your mind. What are you supposed to do now? Will this hurt the baby? Will they need surgery? Dr. Cameron Fuller and his team at Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands are there to support you and your family through this situation. “Depending on how thick the skin is will depend on the type of surgery required, but after a quick oral assessment we can quickly determine what needs to be done to help,” says Dr. Fuller.

Best of all, once the surgery is completed, almost immediately your baby can begin to eat with minimal to no discomfort. Surgery at this age does not require an anesthetic and is a relatively quick in-office procedure. Call today or speak to your lactation nurse to learn more.


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