PENINSULA TONGUE TIE

Aftercare for Infants/Newborns

Scheduling is handled through Chompers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics — we're proud to be part of the same trusted care team.

Spotting or Bleeding 🩸

A small amount of spotting or minor bleeding is normal in the first few days after the procedure. This is usually minimal, especially when a laser is used, as it helps seal the tissue and reduce bleeding.

Hand Hygiene 🧼

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before performing any stretches. This reduces the risk of introducing bacteria to the healing site. Gloves are not required — just clean hands.

Coconut Oil (If Recommended) 🥥

If advised by your provider, you may apply a small amount of coconut oil to your fingertip before stretches. This can help reduce friction and make the exercises more comfortable for your baby. Use only a small amount and avoid overapplication.

Swaddling the Arms 🤱

Swaddling your baby’s arms during stretches can help the process go more smoothly. It reduces sudden arm movements, allowing better access to the mouth and making the exercises quicker and more effective.

Watch First: Guided Stretching Videos by Dr. Richard Baxter

We’re proud to share these helpful videos from Dr. Richard Baxter, one of the nation’s leading experts in tongue and lip tie treatment — and one of the doctors that our team has trained under. These videos walk you through how to perform the stretches safely and effectively at home.

How to Perform Stretches After a Tongue Tie or Lip Tie Release

Stretching Timeline and Frequency

Begin stretches the same evening after the procedure.
For the first 3 weeks, perform 6 sessions per day:
- Five during the day (often after diaper changes or feedings)
- One at night — this is the most important stretch
Try to space the sessions every 4–6 hours.
Starting in Week 4, gradually reduce by removing one session per day.

Why is the night stretch critical?

During overnight rest, the tissue has the most time to begin reattaching. Performing a stretch at night helps prevent re-fusion and supports healthy healing.

Stretching Position Tips

Place your baby on a flat surface or in your lap, with their head closest to you and feet pointing away.
Swaddle their arms to prevent sudden movements — this helps make the stretch smoother and more effective.
Support your baby’s head gently, and have all your supplies (like coconut oil or a clean finger cot) ready and within reach.

Upper Lip Stretch

The upper lip is usually easier to stretch than the tongue, so we recommend starting here — especially if you're doing both stretches in one session. Babies don’t typically enjoy either stretch, but beginning with the lip often helps keep things smoother (and crying can actually make the tongue stretch easier!).

How to Perform the Upper Lip Stretch:

Gently place your clean finger under your baby’s upper lip.
Move your finger up as high as it will go — until you feel natural resistance.
Once there, sweep your finger side to side for about 1 second.
The goal is to separate the healing tissue between the lip and gum so they don’t reattach.

Important: This stretch should be firm but gentle. You are simply keeping the raw surfaces from sticking together — not trying to force movement. Avoid applying excessive pressure.

Tongue Stretch Instructions (Finger Positioning)

Getting Into Position

Use your clean index fingers — insert one finger into your baby’s mouth and gently stretch the cheek out to make room for the second.
Support your baby’s head by placing your thumbs on the forehead and middle fingers under the chin.
Gently slide both index fingers under the tongue and lift it toward the roof of the mouth. This is the starting position for the three stretches.

The Three Stretching Motions

1. Up-and-Hold Stretch

Lift the tongue as high as it will go toward the roof of the mouth.
Hold for 1–2 seconds, then release.
This helps prevent a new band from forming and ensures the tongue can move freely.

2. Deep Diamond Lift

Keep both index fingers together to form a “diamond shape” under the tongue.
Push upward and slightly backward, toward the tonsil area.
This lifts the center of the tongue, not just the sides.
💡 Tip: Use your middle fingers to support the jaw and prevent excessive pulling.

3. Side Sweep (Lateral Stretch)

While one finger holds the tongue up, use the other to gently sweep through the wound side to side.
Focus on the center of the diamond-shaped healing site, not the outer edges.
Be gentle but purposeful — this helps prevent reattachment.

Massage (Outside the Wound Area)

Use firm pressure to massage the floor of the mouth, just outside the diamond area.
This helps relax the surrounding muscles and reduce tension.
These massages are not in the wound area, so you can apply more pressure here.

Sucking Exercises

Why These Exercises Matter

Babies may develop disorganized or weak sucking patterns, especially after a tie release. These gentle exercises can help strengthen the tongue, improve coordination, and create a more positive experience during oral care.

Always try to keep a calm, playful tone — not all mouth activities need to feel clinical or stressful.

Simple Sucking Exercises

Side-to-side gumline sweep:
Gently rub your finger along your baby’s lower gumline, moving side to side. Their tongue will naturally follow the motion, helping build lateral tongue strength.
Tug-of-war sucking:
Let your baby suck on your finger, then slowly pull it away while they try to pull it back in. This game strengthens the tongue and encourages active engagement.
Seal-break and restart:
While your baby is sucking on your finger, gently press the back of your nail upward into the roof of their mouth. This often causes a pause or seal break — then you can reintroduce your finger to restart the sucking. Repeat as tolerated to help reset coordination.
Cheek massage (inside + out):
Place your index finger inside the cheek and gently massage the outside with your thumb. This helps relieve tension in the cheeks and supports smoother feeding movements.

Closing Tip

These exercises are not required for every child but can be helpful when sucking coordination feels weak or inconsistent. Always adapt to your baby’s tolerance and stop if they seem overwhelmed. If you’re unsure or need more support, we’re happy to guide you or connect you with a trained therapist.