• After The Procedure

  • WOUND MANAGEMENT

    1. Any open oral wound likes to contract towards the center of that wound as it is healing (hence the need to keep it dilated open).
    2. If you have two raw surfaces in the mouth in close proximity, they will reattach.

    STRETCHES

    The main risk of a frenotomy is that the mouth heals so quickly that it may prematurely reattach at either the tongue site or the lip site, causing a new limitation in mobility and the persistence or return of symptoms. The exercises demonstrated below are best done with the baby placed in your lap (or lying on a bed) with the feet going away from you. 

    Post-procedure stretches are the key to getting an optimal result. These stretches are NOT meant to be forceful or prolonged. It's best to be quick and precise with your movements.

    You may use Tylenol, Ibuprofen (if 6 months of age or older), arnica, Rescue Remedy or other measures to help with pain control.

    DAY OF SURGERY:   DO ONE STRETCH ON THE EVENING OF SURGERY.

    DAY AFTER SURGERY:   STRETCHES SHOULD BE DONE 3-5 X PER DAY FOR THE FIRST 3 WEEKS. DIAPER CHANGES ARE A GOOD TIME TO DO THE EXERCISES.

    SUCKING EXERCISES

    These exercises should be playful and enjoyable for your child. Try to sing a song or find a strategy to relax your child.

    1. Slowly rub the lower gumline from side to side and your baby's tongue will follow your finger. This will help strengthen the lateral movements of the tongue.
    2. Let your child suck on your finger and do a tug-of-war, slowly trying to pull your finger out while they try to suck it back in. This strengthens the tongue itself. This can also be done with a pacifier.
    3. Let your child suck your finger and apply gentle pressure to the palate, and then roll your finger over and gently press down on the tongue and stroke the middle of the tongue. Alternatively, once the baby starts to suck on your finger, just press down with the back of your nail into the tongue. This usually interrupts the sucking motion while the baby pushes back against you.
    4. With one index finger inside the baby's cheek, use your thumb outside the cheek to massage the cheeks on either side to help lessen the tension.

    STARTING SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE PROCEDURE, THE WOUND(S) WILL LOOK WHITE AND/OR YELLOW. THIS IS NORMAL HEALING.

    FOLLOW-UP WITH YOUR LACTATION CONSULTANT AFTER THE PROCEDURE TO ENSURE OPTIMAL RESULTS.

    CALL OUR OFFICE FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

    • Uncontrolled bleeding
    • Refusal to nurse or take a bottle
    • Fever > 101.5