Is this a recessed chin/micrognathia in newborn

[sconenotscon]

Hi everyone

So LO is 2 days old, born at 39 weeks and when you look at him it's obvious that his chin is recessed. None of the midwives or the baby doctor that discharged us from the hospital have mentioned this however, and he has had all his newborn checks.

I wanted to breastfeed but he just wouldn't latch. When it got to 7 hours post birth and he still hadn't fed, I caved and opted for a bottle and at first he wouldn't take that either. Cue more trying from me and the midwives themselves threatening to feed him because I couldn't and I found, hours later, there's a certain knack to getting the teat into his mouth in the right position. He now feeds absolutely fine but it's occurred to me that the feeding issues were because of his chin

You can actually see his top gums because his lower lip sits behind them and the teat was just resting on his lip rather than going into his mouth so milk couldn't enter. I googled (big mistake, I know) and now I am terrified that there is something seriously wrong that wasn't picked up on scans or after his birth for whatever reason.

Does anyone else have any experience of this?

Is there a chance it will correct itself? I am driving myself insane with worry

If I can figure out how to post photos I will

Thank you
Signed, one worried and tired mama

Bump

Anyone?

I'm afraid I don't know, OP. You might get more help from the breastfeeding side of things- contact la leche league about the issues you've had and request a lactation consultant. In my experience, if you're formula feeding and the formula is going in OK, the NHS aren't really bothered about fixing any related problems. In my area, for example, you can only get tongue tie cut if you're breastfeeding, despite the potential for speech impediment later on.

My nephew had a chin like that as a newborn and he was fine, it sort of disappeared as he got older and he didn't have any problems feeding. I'm sure someone would've picked it up if there was a problem.

Could the problem with latching on be tongue-tie?

Congratulations by the way, he's gorgeous

I agree, I'd be worried too, the bottom lip should meet the top lip not sit behind the teeth. Def worth asking a GP

My DS was like that as a newborn (it's the family chin on my side, poor sod) and as he got bigger and started gumming on things it faded, and once the teeth came in it disappeared. He also had to be got at a specific angle with both breast and bottles but we're pretty sure that was just him being both impatient and sleepy which was not a good combination for a proper latch.

Say to the health visitor, but if they weren't worried at birth it's unlikely to be a massive problem.

If you still want to breastfeed ask for a referral to a breastfeeding consultant ASAP. Latching issues aren't unusual at all especially during the first 24 hours after birth.

I don't know about his chin, I don't think it looks anything worrying but obviously I'm only going by a photo. You could ask your GP for an opinion and a paediatrician referral if you're concerned.

Hello

No idea if it's the same or not but my DS also seemed like his chin was sucked in at birth too. Me and my partner were also a bit concerned but before long (only a few days I think looking at pictures) it seemed to "pop out" and he now has a completely normal chin (he's almost 3)

He also struggled with feeding but he had a tongue tie which was eventually snipped.

Maybe check if you're worried but for me it was nothing (maybe just a newborn thing)

This was him at 6 days old and his lower lip had kind of "popped" back out by then lol and like I said, completely normal now at almost 3yo.

Youngest daughter had a mild form - pead’s were more interested in her face as they suspected she had something very rare behind her severe IUGR and severe failure to thrive. Her dentist kept a careful watch from six months on and made a referral to maxi-facial due to some other oddities in her notable undershot small jaw [she does have fibrous dysplasia]. She was given the choice between more radical surgery or the far longer orthodontal and some surgery route. She opted for the second as she did not fancy having her jaw broken and extended or aggravating the FD lesions in her jaw. It took eight rather than six years but she can know bring her teeth together, her speech is clearer and its made eating a lot easier. In all honesty see how this goes. Most newborns need a little time to adjust to life and learn to feed. If your worried have a chat with your GP. From experience if there is a possible problem your child will be watched and if needed a referral for assessments made. Hope this is just a little blip and as your little one unfurls by six weeks all will be well.

Hi! Do you have any updated pictures or how is your babys chin looks since the post?! Or how is it going?!! My newborn is about 3 weeks old and looks exactly like your picture, been worried about it too!! Thanks :)

@Jeka646

Hi! Do you have any updated pictures or how is your babys chin looks since the post?! Or how is it going?!! My newborn is about 3 weeks old and looks exactly like your picture, been worried about it too!! Thanks :)

Hey His chin has certainly come out now he is almost 10 weeks old. I think he will always have a smaller jaw but I am not worried about it now like I was! :) His bottom lip now meets his top lip and most importantly we no longer have issues with feeding xx

Please do not worry - his chin is completely totally normal and would not have caused these feeding issues. As you said, he is now feeding well.

Many newborns have a small mandible, the reason being evolutionary - in order to latch onto the breast whilst keeping the nostrils clear for breathing. If the mandible protruded, they would be chin down whilst feeding and block the nostrils.

Hope this helps x