Tongue-tie & feeding care

Tongue-tie care, with feeding at the centre.

If feeds are painful, long or unsettled, you do not have to work out the cause alone. I will listen to what has been happening, look at your baby’s feeding and tongue function together, and talk you through what I find.

Tell me what’s happening

Four weeks of WhatsApp and email follow-up are included with feeding and tongue-tie visits.

Understanding tongue-tie

It is about movement, not just appearance.

A frenulum is the tissue beneath the tongue. Tongue-tie, also called ankyloglossia, is when this tissue restricts tongue movement and may affect feeding. A visible frenulum on its own is not a reason for a division. Some babies with a tongue-tie feed comfortably; others need support with breast or bottle-feeding.

For your baby

Feeding may feel like hard work

  • Difficulty latching or staying attached to the breast or bottle
  • Clicking or dribbling during feeds
  • Very long, short or frequent feeds
  • Concerns about milk intake or weight gain
For you

You may be finding feeds painful or worrying

  • Sore, damaged or misshapen nipples after feeding
  • Worries about supply or whether your baby is getting enough milk
  • Feeling that feeding is taking over your day

These experiences can have more than one cause. I will look at the whole feeding picture with you, rather than assume tongue-tie is the answer.

What happens at a visit

We start with your story.

There is more to good feeding care than two photographs. I will look at the whole picture with you before we decide what might help.

01 Listen

Your feeding story.

We begin with what you have noticed, how feeding feels and the support you need.

02 Assess

Look together.

Tongue appearance is one part of an individual feeding assessment.

Before division: close-up of the underside of an infant’s tongue
Before division
03 Support

Care continues.

If a division is appropriate, feeding support continues afterwards.

After division: close-up of the underside of an infant’s tongue
After division
Further reading

Trusted information, when you want it.

Independent information can help you make sense of the options before we talk.

Association of Tongue-tie PractitionersInformation for families about assessment and careNHS: tongue-tie in babiesSymptoms, feeding difficulties and treatment options
Care beyond the assessment

If a division is appropriate, support continues.

A tongue-tie division (frenulotomy) is only one possible part of a feeding plan. If I recommend it, I will explain what it involves, the possible benefits and risks, and the alternatives, then give you space to decide. A division does not guarantee an immediate change in feeding, and we will keep working on feeding together afterwards.

I offer home visits in Maidenhead and surrounding areas of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Feeding and tongue-tie appointments include four weeks of WhatsApp and email support, so you can ask questions as things change.

Start with a conversation.

Tell me what feeding has been like. You do not need to know whether it is tongue-tie before you get in touch.

Ask about tongue-tie care

See tongue-tie fees