Tongue Tie in Babies: Understanding, Treatment, and Support at Doghurst Clinic
Feeding your baby should feel natural — a moment of calm connection between parent and child. But for many families, those early days bring unexpected challenges: long feeds, clicking sounds, fussing at the breast, or worries about weight gain. Often, the cause is something simple but easily missed — a tongue tie.
Feeding difficulties, nipple pain or unsettled feeds can sometimes be caused by restricted tongue movement. At Doghurst Clinic, we offer expert tongue tie assessment and treatment to help babies feed more comfortably and support families through their early feeding journey.
We know how overwhelming those first few weeks with a newborn can feel — especially when feeding doesn’t go as smoothly as expected. Tongue tie can affect not only feeding, but also comfort, bonding, and even mother’s mental health and sleep. That’s why we take the time to look beyond appearance and focus on how your baby’s tongue actually functions. Using recognised assessment tools such as the HATLFF and Tabby Tool, we provide precise diagnosis, gentle division when needed, and compassionate aftercare to support recovery. For families navigating those early stages of parenthood, our recent blog on early baby care tips offers further practical guidance on feeding, sleep, and newborn wellbeing.
Whether you’re just beginning to wonder if your baby might have a tongue tie, or you’ve been searching for answers for a while, our aim is to give you clarity, reassurance, and practical help — all in a calm, family-friendly space.
What Is Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is when the small band of tissue under the tongue (the lingual frenulum) is unusually short, tight, or thick, restricting the tongue’s normal movement. This limitation can affect how a baby feeds, swallows, and even breathes.
According to the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners (ATP), tongue tie is present from birth and may cause significant functional issues when not properly recognised.
It’s important to understand that tongue tie isn’t just a visible tether — it’s about function. The tongue’s ability to lift, extend, and move freely is what truly matters. Unfortunately, tongue ties are often overlooked or dismissed when healthcare professionals assess only appearance and not movement.
What’s Contained Within the Tie — and Why It Matters
The tongue tie often involves more than just a thin string under the tongue. The frenulum can contain muscle fibres, fascia, and connective tissue that limit:
- Tongue elevation, preventing proper lifting or creating a heart-shaped tip
- Extension, reducing the tongue’s ability to protrude beyond the gum line
- Lateralisation, limiting side-to-side movement needed for clearing the mouth
- Tongue cupping and peristalsis, which are essential for effective feeding and palate development
You can read more about these movements in the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (HATLFF), which we use at Doghurst Clinic to objectively assess tongue function.
When tongue movement is limited, babies may struggle to feed effectively and can develop compensatory patterns — such as mouth breathing — that have long-term implications.
Symptoms That May Suggest a Tongue Tie
Common signs of tongue tie include:
- Difficulty latching or staying latched during feeds
- Clicking or gulping sounds while feeding
- Prolonged or inefficient feeds
- Maternal nipple pain or damage
- Poor weight gain despite frequent feeding
- Excessive wind, hiccups, or unsettled behaviour
- Mouth breathing or noisy sleep
These symptoms are frequently missed when professionals rely on visual inspection alone. As the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners explains, functional assessment — not appearance — is key to accurate diagnosis.
How Tongue Tie Is Assessed at Doghurst Clinic
At Doghurst Clinic, we believe that proper assessment means evaluating both the anatomy and the function of the tongue. Using the HATLFF and Tabby Tool, we ensure each tongue tie assessment and treatment is based on function as well as appearance — helping families avoid unnecessary procedures while giving the right support when it’s needed.
We use two gold-standard tools:
- The Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (HATLFF), which scores both appearance and movement.
- The Tabby Tool, a validated framework for structured functional assessment.
Alongside these, we take a detailed feeding history, assess sleep and breathing, and perform a full oral examination. This approach ensures no tie is missed and each treatment plan is tailored to the child.
How Tongue Tie Affects Feeding, Growth, and Sleep
When the tongue can’t move freely, feeding becomes inefficient. Babies may tire easily, swallow air, or feed for long periods without adequate intake — leading to poor weight gain and frustrated parents.
Restricted tongue movement also contributes to mouth breathing and disturbed sleep, as the tongue’s natural resting posture helps maintain airway patency. Over time, this can affect palate development, resulting in a narrower arch and increased risk of crowded teeth, snoring, or dental caries later in childhood.
We’ll explore these long-term impacts in a separate blog dedicated to airway development and oral posture.
The Procedure: Gentle, Quick, and Effective
The procedure is quick, gentle and minimally invasive. Every tongue tie assessment and treatment at Doghurst Clinic includes guidance on feeding, oral exercises and aftercare to support healing and improve tongue mobility.
What to Expect
- The procedure takes only seconds and is performed with sterile, single-use instruments.
- Babies are held securely by either a healthcare practitioner or a parent and usually comforted with skin-to-skin contact afterwards.
- Babies are encouraged to feed immediately after the procedure, which helps comfort and clotting.
We follow the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners’ guidance guidance and attend regular updates to ensure the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
After the Procedure
It’s common to notice a small white patch under the tongue as it heals — this is normal and it is a wet scab. Some babies may be a little fussy for a day or two, but most settle quickly and feed more effectively within hours.
Risks are very low but may include minor bleeding, mild discomfort, or (rarely) re-attachment of the tissue. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions and follow-up support to ensure optimal healing.
For examples of what to expect following a tongue tie division — including before and after images, typical healing appearance, and the minimal scarring that develops as part of normal recovery — you can visit the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners (ATP) gallery.
Aftercare and Tongue Exercises
After the procedure, gentle oral exercises are crucial to prevent re-adhesion and promote tongue mobility.
These include:
- Lifting the tongue gently towards the palate several times a day to encourage tongue settlement to the roof of the mouth
- Encouraging side-to-side movements
- Stimulating tongue extension and elevation through play and feeding
We guide parents through these at their follow-up visit.
Validated resources for these exercises include:
- ATP: Manual Therapy and Infant Feeding Guidance
- The Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy for information on gentle cranial osteopathic techniques.
- For further guidance on tongue movement exercises and sleep positioning, visit Natasha Duffin‘s website — an Occupational Therapist with specialist training in paediatric sleep and myofunctional therapy, offering practical resources to help improve tongue mobility and airway support following treatment.
These evidence-based resources complement our clinical follow-up, ensuring each baby maintains healthy tongue function long after healing.
Why Choose Doghurst Clinic
Choosing Doghurst Clinic means you’ll receive:
- Comprehensive, functional assessment using validated tools
- Gentle, minimally invasive treatment performed with care and precision
- Holistic support through collaboration with lactation consultants, cranial osteopaths, and physiotherapists
- Personalised aftercare including follow-up and functional exercises
- A calm, family-friendly environment designed around the needs of both parent and baby
We understand how worrying feeding issues can be — and we’re here to offer not just treatment, but reassurance.
In Summary
Tongue tie is more than just a minor anatomical variation — it’s a functional condition that can affect feeding, growth, and even long-term oral health. With accurate tongue tie assessment and treatment, most babies experience easier feeding and parents regain confidence knowing their child is feeding comfortably and growing well.
At Doghurst Clinic, our approach combines clinical precision with compassion, ensuring your family feels supported every step of the way.
💛 Doghurst Clinic – helping babies feed, grow, and thrive.
