Tongue Tie Assessment

You may have heard the term “tongue tie” as a breastfeeding or pumping parent. If you suspect a tongue tie, lip tie, or another oral restriction may be contributing to feeding challenges, a thorough assessment can help clarify what’s going on and what (if anything) needs to be addressed.

Common Signs of Tongue Tie

Tongue tie can show up in different ways. Some common signs in babies include difficulty latching or staying latched, clicking sounds while feeding, frequent or prolonged feeds, gassiness or frustration at the breast or bottle, and slow weight gain. For parents, signs may include nipple pain or damage, a lipstick-shaped nipple after feeds, ongoing feeding challenges despite adjustments, or difficulty maintaining milk supply when pumping. These symptoms can have multiple causes, so an assessment helps determine what’s actually contributing.

What I Look For

I assess more than just appearance. During your visit, I look at how your baby functions during feeding, including tongue movement and coordination, latch and milk transfer, your comfort and any pain, and feeding patterns and weight gain. This helps build a clear picture of whether an oral restriction is actually impacting feeding.

Visit Options

In-person visits are typically the most effective way to evaluate oral function and restriction. If meeting in person isn’t possible, virtual consults are available. If you choose a virtual option, please see this guide on how to take clear, useful photos ahead of time so we can make the most of our visit.

What Happens Next

If I identify signs of an oral restriction that may be affecting feeding, I’ll explain what I’m seeing and talk through your options. If appropriate, I’ll refer you to a trusted provider for further evaluation and possible treatment (also called a frenotomy).

Get Started

If you’d like an assessment or have questions about feeding challenges, you can reach out or book a visit