Tongue tie is when the lingual frenulum, the string like membrane under the tongue, is short and reduces movement of the tongue. The medical term for tongue tie is ankyloglossia. The two main concerns of tongue tie are the impact on difficulty breastfeeding and speech problems. Tongue tie happens more in males than females and occurs in about 5% of children.
As your child gets older their oral cavity will develop and their tongue tie will stretch, tongue tie may naturally improve.
Tongue tie and breastfeeding
A baby with tongue tie may be able to feed successfully. However tongue tie may cause a child to have poor attachment. The baby may feed only from the nipple, rather than putting the whole breast in their mouth. This can lead to nipple damage. Baby may be “snacking” by feeding often.
This may lead to poor weight gain, nipple damage, mastitis (due to breast not draining) and baby being unsettled. It is important to know that these problems can have other causes.
See comments below on parent’s experiences with surgery and the impact on feeding with their baby.
Tongue tie has also been shown to sometimes have an impact on bottle feeding, slowing feeding time and making baby take in more air.
Tongue tie and speech
Tongue tie often resolves by the time they are starting the speak. Certain sounds that need the tongue to reach the roof (t, d, n, l, s, z) or floor (r) of the mouth can be an issue. These issues tend to present at about the age of 3.
If tongue tie is an issue you may decide to discuss surgery with your lactation consultant and doctor.
Surgery for tongue tie
A frenotomy is where all or part of the frenulum is cut with surgical scissors. Some dentists use laser surgery to remove the attachment.
Our community share their experiences with tongue tie surgery
I’ve just found out my 5mo has a tongue tie. We’re having a consultation re having it snipped but are wondering if any mummies had this and were then able to reestablish breast feeding? Looking for experiences other mummies had with getting it snipped.
- My baby had his done at 6 months. Breastfeeding was definitely improved but still not perfect. My son also had a lip tie done at the same time. Expect some discomfort in their mouth for 1-2 weeks. Rebecca
- Mine was the same and feeding afterwards was a breeze! He was so much happier and screamed in delight so often lol my second is also tongue tied however I was told not to get it snipped this time so we’ll see how we go good luck! Your lo will be a new bub afterwards Danielle
- get it snipped. Feeding will be much better Ellen
- My son was 6 days old when he had his snipped and ult done and feeds sleeps soo much better Diana
- My son was born with a tongue tie and it was snipped at 7 days old. Made breastfeeding 100% better for us. Good luck Amy
- As soon as its snipped they put bub on the breast to help heal it. It’s no where near as traumatic as you’d expect. Jasmin
- Tongue & lip tie support page Australia here on Facebook is fantastic. Consider joining! Do you know if is an anterior or posterior tie?? Feel free to PM me.. We just had our 5mo sons upper lip and tongue ties lasered on Tuesday- interesting to watch how things will change. I relactated to give BF another go post procedure. No huge changes thus far as he’s stil healing and adjusting. Good luck! Jemima
- For me it got too painful so she started getting bottle fed , the operation was great and i noticed that she latched onto her bottle proper after she had it snipped so It would of been more comforatable if I was breast feeding which I did wanna do but my milk dried up by the time she had the procedure Kirralee
- My son got his tongue tie cut around 3/4 months and at first I thought it didn’t change anything, but after a few weeks his latching/ sucking improved a lot and we had no more issues breast feeding. He breast fed until 22 months. So don’t give up because you don’t notice immediate changes as it takes a little while for them to adjust Bek
- My son was tongue tied we got it snipped when he was only 6 weeks straight after put him on the breast for a feed and he fed loads better and i think it worried me more than him once it was done he was pretty much over it after he had a full belly Naomi
- My son got his cut around 3/4 months and at first I thought it didn’t change anything, but after a few weeks his latching/ sucking improved a lot and we had no more issues breast feeding. He breast fed until 22 months. So don’t give up because you don’t notice immediate changes as it takes a little while for them to adjust Bek
- My son was tongue tied we got it snipped when he was only 6 weeks straight after put him on the breast for a feed and he fed loads better and i think it worried me more than him once it was done he was pretty much over it after he had a full belly Naomi
- My bub had tongue tie and lip tie we had it lasered if you can do that I recommend it heals faster and won’t grow back the snip can grow back as for feeding fed straight after and he’s been feeding like a champ ever since the want you to feed straight after Ruth
- I had my daughter’s tongue tie snipped at 1 week old due to feeding issues – she was getting plenty but causing me pain. It was a 30 second procedure she went straight back to sleep after a quick cuddle. So glad I pushed to have it done as she can now poke her tongue out and the feeding issues disappeared at the next feed. Emily
- My son had a posterior tongue tie cut at about 5 weeks old. I didn’t notice a difference to feeding and still have trouble 5 months later using formula as well as breastfeeding for this reason. Have been told he has quite a significant lip tie most likely causing feeding difficulties. The paediatrician I saw at about 3 months told me he does not typically recommend snipping either I was traumatised watching them take my tiny baby to snip his tongue tie and don’t think I’d do it again. Priscilla
- My baby had tongue tie and upper lip tie. I looked into having it fixed and I didn’t feel comfortable with having it snipped. I found a place that did it via laser and they were fantastic. He cried during and after but as soon as I got him in the car he fell asleep and by the time we got home he was ready for a feed. He had to teach himself how to feed again but by the 3rd feed he got the hang of it (exclusively breast fed) I gave him Panadol for the first 24 hours but he probably didn’t need it. Would highly recommend this procedure. Was more expensive but well worth it to see my baby happy and not in pain so soon after. If you are in Sydney PM me and I can give you the details if you would like to look into the option. Katie
- Had my sons tongue snipped as soon as we were told. It can affect their speech in the future. It was quick and easily done with no dramas Samy
- Both of my kids had theirs cut early (son at 3 months, daughter at 2). It definitely made a different with how they fed. Samantha
- My dd had mild tongue tie, was snipped at 2 weeks old. Surgeon said to rinse with sterilised water regularly, but I discussed with a few mid wives and they said breast milk best thing for it, so just breast fed as normal. Alison
- My DS had this and he had it snipped at about 1 month old, they got us to breast feed straight after having it done. Jillie
- My son was younger, 3 weeks, but he was fine, was already to put him on to feed straight after the snipe, but he was already asleep…. He should be fine Amy
- My daughter’s tongue tie discovered at same age. We saw paediatriv dentist re: correcting it but were advised against as by this age even if you do snip it their muscle patterns are to set for much change in the way they would feed. I was able to continue breastfeeding though with help of a brilliant lactation consultant and nipple shields. Peta–Lee
- Had my babies snipped at 2.5 months. Completely changed things for the better and still feeding happily at 22 months. See a good paed Chiro afterwards and an IBCLC lactation consultant to help you both “relearn” how to feed Kimmy
- My 8 week old baby had a tongue tie. It was picked up when he was 4 weeks old by a maternal health nurse. We were told at the hospital that he didn’t have one. I had quite a lot of trouble with breast feeding – he was getting plenty of milk and gaining lots of weight but my poor nipples were cracked and so sore. He learnt to feed in his own way for 4 weeks so it has taken him another 4 weeks to Learn to feed better. My nipples are no longer sore which is a bonus too. The tongue snip procedure was so quick. He didn’t cry or have any trouble afterwards. No bleeding or pain. He may also have an upper lip tie too so we will be getting that checked soon too. Hope this helps. Feel free to PM if you like Jasmine
