I think my baby might have a tongue tie?...
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. A tongue-tie can cause feeding and digestive challenges for infants and may lead to a range of issues as the individual grows older, including difficulties with weaning, textures, saliva management (dribbling) dental/oral hygiene, tension, headaches, challenges with speech.
Research shows that around 10% of babies are born with a tongue-tie but only a small percentage will go on to show no feeding difficulties as the tongue function is not impacting on breast/chest or bottle feeding.
However for the babies that their tongue function is impacting on feeding where necessary, tongue-tie can be treated with a surgical cut to release the frenulum.
The procedure to divide a baby's tongue tie is called a Frenulotomy. The membrane under the tongue is divided to enable optimum tongue movement and function enabling babies to feed more effectively.
Currently there is no published evidence supporting a link between breastfeeding issues and a lip tie.
Please review ATP position statement.
https://www.tongue-tie.org.ukatp-position-statements
Problems which may be due to a tongue tie:
Mother:
Sore damaged nipples,
Misshapen/lipstick shape nipples after a feed
Blanched appearance/vasospasm
Mastitis/recurrent mastitis
Breast abscesses
Low milk supply
Excessive milk supply
Fast/strong let down
Baby breast/chest:
Restricted tongue movement
Shallow latch
Gagging
Pulling off breast/chest-arching
Chomping the breast
Lip blisters
Unsettled behaviour during feeds
Difficulty staying attached to the breast/chest or bottle
Frequent or very long feeds
Excessive early weight loss/poor weight gain/faltering growth
Clicking/smacking noises and /or dribbling during feeds
Colic, wind, hiccoughs
Reflux (vomiting after feeds)
Baby bottle feeding:
Choking/spluttering on the bottle
Shallow attachment to teat
Chomping the teat
Excessive milk dribbling during feeds
Excessive lip blisters
Unsettled/frustrated/fussy during feeds
Prolonged feeding sessions
Baby difficulties with solids:
Difficulty with chewing lumpy foods
Gagging on food
Food aversion/textures
Other common issues
Exhaustion from constant/frequent feeding
Distress from failing to establish breastfeeding
Postnatal mental health concerns
Concerns over infant weight/health
Sadly not all NHS trusts offer a Tongue-tie service and due to current NHS pressures, and staff shortages within maternity services, parents are having to endure unacceptable wait times (dependent on area) of up to 4-6 weeks to be seen for a tongue-tie assessment.
Because of this, parents then feel that they have no option but to go on to make different choices around their feeding journey.
This is why I aim to be able to offer you an appointment for the same day or next day where possible.
It is important if difficulties with feeding (breast or bottle) persist, that you seek support from a qualified specialist tongue-tie practitioner.
SERVICES
Tongue-tie assessment and treatment.
Following an online booking request, a home visit or clinic appointment will be confirmed for a face to face consultation.
(Babies under 6 months old, 6-10 months based on an individual assessment)
We will discuss any concerns that you have with breast feeding or bottle feeding. We will discuss any relevant medical history. The procedure and any potential risk factors associated.
An assessment of the tongue function using the Hazelbaker tool whereby assessing babies ability to stick their tongue out (extension), observing movement of the tongue around their mouth (lateralisation) and the lift of their tongue (elevation). Assessing their suck, palate and shape of their tongue and finally the frenulum itself.
Division of the tongue-tie (if deemed clinically necessary) with aseptic technique. Post procedure feeding support will be provided.
*Baby will be wrapped securely in a large muslin or a blanket
*A parent or family/friend present will be requested to steady the babies head
*I will lift babies tongue with index finger and a small incision through the frenulum with sterile scissors will be performed to release the restriction
*Small gause will be held to the would to stem any bleeding (usually a small smear), baby will be unwrapped and given back to the parent to feed which will help to compress the wound and to decrease any further risk of bleeding and provides your baby with comfort
AFTERCARE
Whilst current research does not support the use of wound massage/stretching post frenulotomy, there are some gentle exercises that can be performed as outlined on the Association of Tongue tie Practitioners (ATP) downloadable PDF Leaflet .
With a clean finger and short nails:-
*Poke your tongue out - encourage family/friends to do the same. This will go onto strengthen good tongue extension.
*Tug of war - allow your baby to suck on your finger and then play a little tug of war , pulling your finger out a little at a time and letting them suck it back it.
*Around the gums - sweep your finger around their lower gum line to encourage them to follow your finger with their tongue aiding laterilisation
Tongue-tie release is one part of a puzzle.
During an oral assessment, an open discussion is had around utilising other health professionals for ongoing feeding support to aid the optimal outcome.
Where there is a Tongue-tie, there would have been tension that had been created due to compensatory methods of feeding.
In addition, pregnancy and birth can also add towards bodily tension.
*Craniosacral Therapy (body work) to help release tension due to overworked muscles that have been used to compensate for poor tongue function.
It is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/craniosacral-therapy-for-babies/
*Breastfeeding support with an IBCLC, NHS community breastfeeding counsellors, drop-in cafes. Post tongue-tie division baby now has to re learn to use their new tongue function so it it key to utilise as much support as possible.
Please note - If I feel the division is deemed clinically unnecessary or an oral anomaly is found, meaning that I feel division is unsafe or outside of my expertise then the below fees will be reduced to £130 assessment fee.
The appointment time will be spent supporting feeding issues and working with you within the appointment to resolve these and formulating a plan together.
*Mileage is included in the pricing for home visits within 10 miles of Redditch.
For home visits further afield £1 per mile*
Deposit and cancellation fees:
Unfortunately a small number of clients have continued to cancel appointments at short notice which means that appointments are wasted and other families who could have had those appointments have to wait longer. There is a non refundable deposit of £50 for all appointments to be paid at time of booking.
Face to face appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice or where a client fails to attend are subject to the full charge for assessment fee accepted at time of booking.
Non refundable booking deposit £50
Cancellation fee within 24hrs home visit or
clinic appointment:
Initial assessment £130.
Reassessment £70.
Clinic appointment available:
The Rural Barns
Tardebigge B60 1LP.
Friday 28th March:
09:00
Please email: info@latchperfecttongue-tiespecialist.co.uk
Direct message: 07846115466
PAYMENT VIA BACS
Option 1 - £200
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TONGUE TIE ASSESSMENT AND FRENULOTOMY. (Fee reduced to £130 if no procedure is required)
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Twins £300.
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POST PROCEDURE BREASTFEEDING GUIDANCE/SUPPORT WITHIN APPOINTMENT,
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FOLLOW UP NEXT DAY VIA TEXT. OPEN ACCESS FOR 2 WEEKS POST PROCEDURE FOR ADVICE AND SUPPORT.
Option 2- £100
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REFORMATION FOLLOW UP
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(Fee reduced to £70 if no procedure is required)
(Re-assessment + procedure if required from 4 weeks healing time from original procedure)
2-4% occurance rate.
Tongue-tie assessment & Division
1 hr 30 min • £200
About me...
My name is Anna Branch, a mother to 3 children. I am a registered midwife with extensive experience within all areas of the NHS.
I qualified with a 1st BSc Hons in Midwifery at Worcester University.
I have mostly worked as a community midwife providing antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care to women and families of Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
I have always had a keen interest in supporting infant feeding even prior to becoming a midwife. I trained with the Breastfeeding Network as a peer supporter, volunteering within NHS on the postnatal wards.
My current NHS job role is as an infant feeding Midwife. I completed my training with Wolverhampton University as a Tongue-tie specialist providing tongue tie assessments and divisions within NHS clinics. I am keen to ensure that all parents receive timely infant feeding support and appropriate Tongue-tie assessments by a qualified practitioner .
My onwards journey of learning has brought me to qualifying as a student in offering CranioSacral Therapy techniques (Adults).
CranioSacral Therapy (babies) to be offered Summer 2025 .
My love of supporting infant feeding has also led me into starting my journey this year in training
as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Once qualified, i will be able to offer this alongside or in addition to my service Winter 2025.
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I am registered with the NMC & RCM
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The Association of Tongue-tie Practitioners (ATP)
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I am CQC registered and insured via Private Midwives
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri
Appointments on request.
HOME VISITS: Redditch & surrounding areas of Worcestershire& Warwickshire.
CLINIC SESSION:
Re-assessments &
Requests for -
North Birmingham, Shropshire & Oxfordshire will be offered a session appointment at:
The Barns Rural Business Park Tardebigge B60 1LP. Unit 11
https://futuregenphysio.co.uk/
"Rowley Regis"
Anna is absolutely fantastic! From start to finish, the entire experience was smooth, supportive, and incredibly helpful. Booking was simple, and the pre-appointment communication was excellent—friendly, informative, and even included a guidance video to help locate the clinic, which was a thoughtful touch.
During the appointment, Anna was so knowledgeable and thorough. She took the time to examine my baby carefully, observed a feeding session, and clearly explained the symptoms I had been noticing. Her expertise reassured me, and I felt completely confident in her care.
The procedure itself was quick, handled with great sensitivity, and done in the gentlest way possible. Anna has such a lovely nature with babies, making the whole experience feel calm and reassuring.
The difference in our baby after the procedure has been unbelievable—he is feeding so much better, much calmer, and no longer in any discomfort or distress. I cannot thank Anna enough for her brilliant service. She is exceptional at what she does, and I would highly recommend her to any parent in need of tongue-tie assessment and treatment. Absolutely faultless and worth every penny.
"Alvechurch"
Anna really knew her stuff and managed to make us feel at ease with our 4 month olds feeding struggles, the procedure itself was quick and she had plenty of information that was helpful about the aftercare and how to improve her feeding further! can’t wait to see our little girl thrive now, thank you Anna!
"Redditch"
Anna was absolutely amazing. From the moment she arrived, she made me feel completely at ease. She took the time to explain everything about tongue tie—how it affects feeding, speech, and development— in such a clear and reassuring way. I had no idea how much of an impact it could have, and her knowledge was truly eye-opening.
She also gave me invaluable advice on breastfeeding and positioning, which made such a difference. I felt so much more confident after her visit. In fact, what she taught us even helped us realize that our niece’s sensitivity to certain food textures might be linked to her tongue tie—something we’d never considered before!
I learned so much in just a couple of hours, and I’m so grateful for Anna’s support and expertise. She is kind, knowledgeable, and incredibly skilled at what she does. I can’t recommend her highly enough!
