Tongue-Tie Services

What is Tongue-Tie?

Tongue-Tie or Anklyoglossia is found in around 3-11% of babies and is where the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual.

There is a difference between a visible frenulum (piece of skin) and a true Tongue-Tie. A frenulum maybe present but the tongue function may not be effected. However, if the tongue is affected it can make the movement of the tongue difficult. For example, you may not be able to move your tongue from side-to-side, lift it up or stick it out.

What are the symptoms of Tongue-Tie?

Where a tongues movement is restricted it can make it difficult for a baby to breastfeed or bottle-feed. They may:

• have difficulty attaching (latching) or staying attached to the breast or bottle teat

• feed for a long time and need to be fed very often

• dribble a lot during feeds

• cough, choke or make clicking noises when feeding

• only take a small amount of milk at each feed

• lose weight or struggle to put on weight

If your baby has tongue-tie and you are breastfeeding, you may have sore nipples or painful and swollen breasts.

How do you treat Tongue-Tie?

Correct assessment, identification and treatment by a trained professional can help to resolve symptoms. Assessment of function as well as appearance is vitally important. Where tongue function is effected the frenulum is snipped to release the tie. It is a relatively straight forward surgery but you should be counselled fully prior to treatment of your baby.