Tongue, Lip, & Cheek Ties
Not every feeding challenge is caused by a tongue tie, and not every tongue tie needs the same approach. Our IBCLCs have completed advanced training in oral motor habilitation, allowing us to distinguish between anatomical restriction and muscular dysfunction that can look remarkably similar. Through comprehensive functional assessments and collaboration with trusted local providers—including pediatric dentists, bodyworkers, therapists, and physicians—we help families make informed decisions and achieve the best possible feeding outcomes.
Babies must go through the same steps each time they attempt to latch to the breast or a bottle. If they struggle with a particular step, feeding can become challenging -- leading to pain or low milk transfer. Your lactation consultant will complete a thorough functional evaluation of your infants oral motor skills, postural stability, positioning, and feeding reflexes to determine exactly why your baby is struggling to feed. It’s this process that allows us to determine if your baby truly has a restriction, or simply needs a bit of support. All major health organizations agree that every infant deserves a functional evaluation from an Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), or a qualified feeding therapist prior to referral to a release provider.
A baby must be able to do these things to feed well:
Position comfortably at the breast with their head in extension
Breathe through their nose
Open their mouth wide
Extend their tongue out and low over beyond the gum line
Accept the nipple onto the roof of their mouth without gagging
Cup their tongue around the nipple
Seal their lips around the areola
Initiate a suckle that elevates the tongue toward the palate and rhythmically removes milk from the breast
Breathe (then repeat suck, swallow, breathe)
Symptoms of Restrictions
Pain with latching
Inability to latch or popping on and off the breast
Having to hold your breast in their mouth
Damaged nipples
Supply issues
Chronic clogged ducts or engorgement
Poor weight gain or needing to top up with a bottle after
Fussiness after feeds, colic, or reflux symptoms
Tension
Lips curling under
Timing the Release Matters
A tongue tie release is most successful when it is timed appropriately—not simply performed as soon as it is identified. Preparing for the procedure beforehand and supporting healing afterward gives babies the best opportunity for recovery and the development of functional feeding skills, allowing them to adapt to improved tongue mobility and establish more effective feeding patterns.
If you spend 6 months walking around a track with your shoes tied together, just because I untie your shoes doesn't mean you'll know how to walk better. Your body has been conditioned to use those compensatory movements, and we need to teach new movement patterns in order to walk well. Releasing a tie is the exact same.
