Not all tongue ties require treatment. Recommendations are based on feeding assessment, tongue function and parental goals​. Frenulotomy may be considered when restricted tongue function is affecting feeding and conservative support alone has not resolved difficulties. 

• History of pregnancy and birth​

• Feeding assessment

• Functional oral assessment ATLFF score

• Frenulotomy (Division)

• Post division feeding support and advice

• After care/exercises

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Yes, tongue -tie will affect tongue function which will impact on breast or bottle feeding .. 

• Choking/spluttering on the bottle

• Taking a long time to feed >1hour

• Prolonged feeding sessions

• Shallow attachment to teat

• Chomping the teat

• Excessive milk dribbling during feeds

• Excessive lip blisters

• Unsettled/frustrated/fussy during feeds

Yes, A restrictive tongue tie may limit how well the tongue can:

• move food around the mouth,

• lift to the palate,

• clear food from gums/cheeks,

• chew effectively,

• trigger coordinated swallowing

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 Possible side effects

• gagging or choking more than expected

• difficulty moving textured foods

• pocketing food in cheeks

• prolonged mealtimes

• preference for soft foods only

• messy eating

• tongue thrusting food out

• coughing during meals

For most parents, pain is their first concern when thinking about whether their baby should have a tongue tie division.  The discomfort is similar to having an injection -  briefly painful but no on-going pain.  Most babies under 2 weeks will cry for less than 20 seconds (if at all).  It is unusual for a baby under 8 weeks to cry for more than 1 minute, whilst older babies may cry for up to 5 minutes. Babies are normally settled by cuddles and offering a feed straight after the tongue tie division. Sucking produces natural painkillers called endorphins and so babies are generally only upset for a very short time.  

​Yes, babies will be offered a feed whether breast or bottle fed post division for babies comfort and to help clot the wound and stop any bleeding from the procedure.