Frequently asked questions
What impacts tongue-tied babies?
Common questions.
It’s understandable that parents will wonder about tongue tie and its effects on breastfeeding or bottle feeding, as well as whether it might impact the introduction of solids. They may also have concerns about whether the baby will feel pain during the procedure.
"Do Tongue ties affect bottle feeding babies?"
Yes, tongue -tie will affect tongue function which will impact on breast or bottle feeding ..
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Choking/spluttering on the bottle
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Taking a long time to feed >1hour
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Prolonged feeding sessions
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Shallow attachment to teat
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Chomping the teat
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Excessive milk dribbling during feeds
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Excessive lip blisters
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Unsettled/frustrated/fussy during feeds
"Do Tongue ties affect eating solids?"
Yes, A restrictive tongue tie may limit how well the tongue can:
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move food around the mouth,
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lift to the palate,
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clear food from gums/cheeks,
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chew effectively,
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trigger coordinated swallowing
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Possible side effects
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gagging or choking more than expected
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difficulty moving textured foods
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pocketing food in cheeks
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prolonged mealtimes
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preference for soft foods only
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messy eating
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tongue thrusting food out
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coughing during meals
"Is frenulotomy painful?"
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.
"Can babies feed straight away?"
​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.

