ANKYLOGLOSSIA
What is Tongue Tie?
Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, occurs when the tongue cannot function normally, which can cause significant challenges with babies latching onto both breast and bottle.
When tongue-tie is present, it can affect your baby’s ability to achieve a deep attachment and effective latch at the breast. This may lead to a range of feeding difficulties including colic, excessive dribbling during feeds, clicking or noisy feeding sounds, as well as nipple damage and breast pain for mum.
As a trained practitioner in tongue-tie division, I offer this specialist service privately to families throughout North East Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. I safely divide both anterior and posterior tongue-ties, and as a qualified lactation consultant, I bring in-depth knowledge and extensive experience to support you in establishing successful breastfeeding.
TONGUE TIE ASSESSMENT AND DIVISION
Expert care to support your feeding journey
A tongue-tie diagnosis is not just about whether a baby has a visible frenulum under their tongue it’s about function. Can the baby move their tongue freely? Can they achieve a deep latch? Is their feeding comfortable and efficient? A full assessment by a qualified practitioner someone who has undergone extensive training and understands both tongue function and infant feeding is crucial.
A practitioner who truly understands tongue-tie will not simply look under the tongue and decide to snip without careful thought. Instead, they will take the time to assess how the baby is feeding, how their tongue moves, and whether any restrictions are contributing to feeding difficulties.
What Does a Thorough Assessment Involve?
A proper tongue-tie assessment includes:
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A detailed history - understanding the baby’s feeding journey so far, including signs of difficulty such as pain during feeding, clicking noises, reflux-like symptoms, poor weight gain, or prolonged feeding times.
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Functional assessment - looking at how the baby moves their tongue, whether they can extend it past their lower gum, lift it to the roof of the mouth, and create the necessary suction for effective feeding.
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Oral examination - checking the anatomy of the baby’s mouth, including how restrictive their frenulum may be.
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Feeding observation - watching a feed (breast or bottle) to assess latch, milk transfer, and how baby’s tongue function is affecting feeding efficiency.
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Discussion of options - not all tongue-ties require division (frenotomy). A robust assessment should include a conversation about the potential benefits and risks of the procedure, as well as alternative approaches such as feeding support and bodywork.
I routinely treat babies up to 8 months of age, provided they do not have opposing teeth.
Getting started is simple - you can contact me directly to arrange an appointment. No referral from a healthcare professional is required.
WHAT HAPPENS?
At Your Appointment
Every appointment includes a comprehensive feeding assessment, tongue function evaluation, and detailed tongue-tie assessment. If tongue-tie division is recommended, your fee covers all these assessments plus dedicated support with feeding following the procedure, comprehensive aftercare information, and free telephone follow-up and ongoing advice.
All visits take place in the comfort of your own home, with fees of £150 for assessment only or £250 including division if required.
If you’re concerned about tongue-tie, it’s important to see someone who will take the time to assess your baby fully, consider all the factors at play, and provide ongoing feeding support.
Would you like to chat about your baby’s feeding? Get in touch, and let’s find the best path forward for you and your little one.