TONGUE-TIE CLIPS: REATTACHMENT

Many parents mistakenly believe their babies' ties have reattached when in fact they have simply not had adequate lactation and bodywork support to eliminate compensations. When feeding is compensatory, the new frenum is frequently just as short as the previous one, but it has not "reattached". A new frenum is normal, but mobility is necessary to ensure it is long and functional, rather than short and restricted.

Examples of compensatory breastfeeding:Many babies feed in a way that may not cause damage to the mother, but is passive, relying on a robust milk supply, tandem nursing or pumping as they cannot drive a supply themselves. Other babies may manage to drive supply, but are structurally compromised, and come to the breast in a flexed position that mothers tend to inadvertently compensate for (frequently by side-lying, but it can be done in other positions as well). These babies often look like they have their shoulders up to their ears or they have no neck. Nursing passively or in this flexed position that limits range of motion will often cause the new frenum to be as short as the previous one. Placing babies in containers for long periods of time can have the same result. 

This is why it's important that parents work w an IBCLC who understands whole body function and knows how to "see" babies structurally and functionally, as well as how to communicate and collaborate with the bodyworker and release provider. And why both an IBCLC and skilled bodyworker are necessary pre and post-release.