December 19-23, 2022: Tongue and Lip Tie Awareness Week

WHEREAS, the function of the infant tongue/lip plays an important role in a successful, pain free breastfeeding relationship between the infant and parent; and,

WHEREAS, untreated tongue and or lip ties can cause many difficulties for both baby and mother alike, such as: being unable to latch at all, poor weight gain, breastfeeding constantly to get enough milk,, blocked ducts and mastitis because of ineffective milk removal, a premature end to breastfeeding . Infants require the ability to be able to move their tongue and lip freely to be able to breastfeed well and any ties that restrict normal movement can lead to breastfeeding difficulties; and,

WHEREAS, when children receive successful tongue and or lip revisions, they go on to successfully breastfeed with an increase in milk transfer by allowing ample stimulation to encourage milk production. Tongue/lip tie revisions done on breastfed infants also heartens positive parent and baby bonding experience; and,

WHEREAS, in 2020, Michigan MDHHS committed to supporting breastfeeding families, increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration and closing the breastfeeding gap between black and white populations that remains persistent in Michigan; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Breastfeeding Plan is guided by the vision of removing barriers, advancing equity, and promoting breastfeeding as essential for infant nutrition, social emotional health, and chronic disease prevention by ensuring all families have the opportunity to breastfeed for as long as they choose; and,

WHEREAS, more than 86.9% of families initiate breastfeeding in Michigan, there are many barriers that account for the fact that the percentage of continued breastfeeding drops greatly between one to three months; and,

WHEREAS, lack of knowledge and information regarding tongue/lip ties by parents does not provide them with the opportunity to seek early intervention and treatment that may allow for continued breastfeeding, preserves the breastfeeding relationship and thwart other possible long term effects such as: child issues with tonsils/adenoids, sleeping and airway issues, headaches, wetting the bed, ADD, ADHD, anxiety, depression and more; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to highlighting the importance of breastfeeding success and spreading awareness to any potential unknown barriers in order to preserve the breastfeeding relationship; and,

WHEREAS, this week provides an important opportunity to spotlight the prevalence of untreated tongue/lip ties in infants and highlight the importance of early detection, intervention and revision for breastfeeding relationship success and the infant/parental bond;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim December 19-23, 2022, as Tongue and Lip Tie Awareness Week in Michigan.