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What does the research say?

Not Every Tongue Tie Needs Treatment

Many babies with tongue ties feed normally and never require a release.

Professional guidelines emphasize that intervention is most appropriate when significant feeding problems are present.

Assessment Matters More Than Appearance

Tongue-tie decisions should be based on how the tongue functions during feeding — not simply how it looks.

In one study, a comprehensive feeding evaluation prevented surgery in over 60% of infants referred for release, because other causes of feeding difficulty were identified.

Support Before and After the Procedure Is Important

Research consistently shows better outcomes when families receive skilled feeding support both before and after a release.

Babies may need time to learn new movement patterns once restriction is removed.

Results Can Be Immediate — or Gradual

Some families notice rapid improvement, while others experience gradual progress over days or weeks as coordination and milk transfer improve.

Objective feeding measures have been shown to improve within about 10 days in some studies.

When a Release May Be Most Helpful

Research suggests frenotomy is most beneficial when BOTH are present:

Restricted tongue movement AND Clear feeding difficulties (pain, poor milk transfer, slow weight gain, etc.)

Our method 

Step 1: Initial Assessment

We want to hear the whole story. Evaluating for a tongue tie and determining the best steps forward is much more complex than a quick glance in your baby's mouth. Our initial evaluation includes: 

- Full History of Baby's Feeding Journey 

- Functional Oral Assessment 

- Latch / Feeding Evaluation 

- Weighted Feed

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Every step of a thorough feeding assessment is essential in determining whether your baby’s ORAL FUNCTION is being impacted by their ANATOMY. Many parents are told, “But so many people examined my baby in the hospital and said there was no tongue tie.” What’s often not explained is that many of the most common symptoms do not appear until days or weeks after discharge, when milk supply increases and feeding demands change.

Identifying a tongue tie requires a detailed functional evaluation by an Infant Feeding Specialist — a level of assessment that goes far beyond what hospital staff can reasonably provide, as their primary role is to ensure a safe birth and immediate postpartum recovery (a role for which we are deeply grateful).

Hospital-based lactation support, when available, is invaluable for getting feeding off to a strong start; however, establishing comfortable, effective breastfeeding is an evolving process that typically unfolds over 4–6 weeks. Ongoing, specialized support during this time is often essential to fully assess feeding challenges and determine whether oral restrictions are affecting your baby’s ability to feed well.

Step 2: Referral

If your baby is showing signs that indicate a possible Tongue Tie that is impacting ORAL FUNCTION, we will refer you to a provider who can provide a Tongue Tie Release procedure (aka Frenectomy). Typically we refer to Pediatric Dentists who can diagnose and treat (we are not doctors, so we cannot diagnose). 

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Commonly the procedure itself may not be an immediate fix to every feeding issue, therefore we frequently recommend ​additional therapies such as bodywork, or support provided by an Occupational Therapist, or Speech Language Pathologist. 

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There are also situations in which it is appropriate to START with bodywork, OT or SLP prior to moving forward with a procedure, and we work together with you to determine what would be best for your specific situation. 

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We strongly believe that the Gold Standard for Tongue Tie Care should include a collaborative TEAM APPROACH and we have a wonderful community of practitioners who specialist in optimizing your baby's feeding and your experience. 

Step 3: Follow Up Lactation Support

We strongly recommend following up with us after a procedure or treatment from another supporting practitioner so we can continue to evaluate that your feeding journey is moving in the right direction, whether that means no longer needing a nipple shield, eliminating the need for supplemental feeds, triple feeding or eliminating nipple pain. Continued Lactation Support is critical until you feel fully comfortable and that your feeding plan is sustainable and realistic for your life. 

Ready to Schedule Your Initial Assessment?