I think my baby might have a tongue tie?...
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. A tongue-tie can cause feeding and digestive challenges for infants and may lead to a range of issues as the individual grows older, including difficulties with weaning, textures, saliva management (dribbling) dental/oral hygiene, tension, headaches, challenges with speech.
Research shows that around 10% of babies are born with a tongue-tie but only a small percentage will go on to show no feeding difficulties as the tongue function is not impacting on breast/chest or bottle feeding.
However for the babies that their tongue function is impacting on feeding where necessary, tongue-tie can be treated with a surgical cut to release the frenulum.
The procedure to divide a baby's tongue tie is called a Frenulotomy. The membrane under the tongue is divided to enable optimum tongue movement and function enabling babies to feed more effectively.
I do not divide lip ties.
Currently there is no published evidence supporting a link between breastfeeding issues and a lip tie.
Please review ATP position statement.
https://www.tongue-tie.org.uk/position-statements
Problems which may be due to a tongue tie:
Mother:
Sore damaged nipples,
Misshapen/lipstick shape nipples after a feed
Blanched appearance/vasospasm
Mastitis/recurrent mastitis
Breast abscesses
Low milk supply
Excessive milk supply
Fast/strong let down
Baby breast/chest:
Restricted tongue movement
Shallow latch
Gagging
Pulling off breast/chest-arching
Chomping the breast
Lip blisters
Unsettled behaviour during feeds
Difficulty staying attached to the breast/chest or bottle
Frequent or very long feeds
Excessive early weight loss/poor weight gain/faltering growth
Clicking/smacking noises and /or dribbling during feeds
Colic, wind, hiccoughs
Reflux (vomiting after feeds)
Baby bottle feeding:
Choking/spluttering on the bottle
Shallow attachment to teat
Chomping the teat
Excessive milk dribbling during feeds
Excessive lip blisters
Unsettled/frustrated/fussy during feeds
Prolonged feeding sessions
Baby difficulties with solids:
Difficulty with chewing lumpy foods
Gagging on food
Food aversion/textures
Other common issues
Exhaustion from constant/frequent feeding
Distress from failing to establish breastfeeding
Postnatal mental health concerns
Concerns over infant weight/health
Sadly not all NHS trusts offer a Tongue-tie service and due to current NHS pressures, and staff shortages within maternity services, parents are having to endure unacceptable wait times (dependent on area) of up to 4-6 weeks to be seen for a tongue-tie assessment.
Because of this, parents then feel that they have no option but to go on to make different choices around their feeding journey.
This is why I aim to be able to offer you an appointment for the same day or next day where possible.
It is important if difficulties with feeding (breast or bottle) persist, that you seek support from a qualified specialist tongue-tie practitioner.
SERVICES
Tongue-tie assessment and treatment.
Following an online booking request, a home visit (dependent on location) will be confirmed for a face to face consultation.
(Babies under 6 months old, 6-10 months based on an individual assessment)
We will discuss any concerns that you have with breast feeding or bottle feeding. We will discuss any relevant medical history. The procedure and any potential risk factors associated.
An assessment of the tongue function using the Hazelbaker tool whereby assessing babies ability to stick their tongue out (extension), observing movement of the tongue around their mouth (lateralisation) and the lift of their tongue (elevation). Assessing their suck, palate and shape of their tongue and finally the frenulum itself.
Division of the tongue-tie (if deemed clinically necessary) with aseptic technique. Post procedure feeding support will be provided.
*Baby will be wrapped securely in a large muslin or a blanket
*A parent or family/friend present will be requested to steady the babies head
*I will lift babies tongue with index finger and a small incision through the frenulum with sterile scissors will be performed to release the restriction
*Small gause will be held to the would to stem any bleeding (usually a small smear), baby will be unwrapped and given back to the parent to feed which will help to compress the wound and to decrease any further risk of bleeding and provides your baby with comfort
AFTERCARE
Whilst current research does not support the use of wound massage/stretching post frenulotomy, there are some gentle exercises that can be performed as outlined on the Association of Tongue tie Practitioners (ATP) downloadable PDF Leaflet .
With a clean finger and short nails:-
*Poke your tongue out - encourage family/friends to do the same. This will go onto strengthen good tongue extension.
*Tug of war - allow your baby to suck on your finger and then play a little tug of war , pulling your finger out a little at a time and letting them suck it back it.
*Around the gums - sweep your finger around their lower gum line to encourage them to follow your finger with their tongue aiding laterilisation
Tongue-tie release is one part of a puzzle.
During an oral assessment, an open discussion is had around utilising other health professionals for ongoing feeding support to aid the optimal outcome.
Where there is a Tongue-tie, there would have been tension that had been created due to compensatory methods of feeding.
In addition, pregnancy and birth can also add towards bodily tension.
*Craniosacral Therapy (body work) to help release tension due to overworked muscles that have been used to compensate for poor tongue function.
It is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/craniosacral-therapy-for-babies/
*Breastfeeding support with an IBCLC, NHS community breastfeeding counsellors, drop-in cafes. Post tongue-tie division baby now has to re learn to use their new tongue function so it it key to utilise as much support as possible.
Please note - If I feel the division is deemed clinically unnecessary or an oral anomaly is found, meaning that I feel division is unsafe or outside of my expertise then the below fees will be reduced to £150 assessment fee.
The appointment time will be spent supporting feeding issues and working with you within the appointment to resolve these and formulating a plan together.
*Mileage is included in the pricing for home visits within 10 miles of Redditch.
For home visits outside of 10 miles, a rate of £1 per mile is charged*
Booking fee and cancellation fees:
Unfortunately a small number of clients have continued to cancel appointments at short notice which means that appointments are wasted and other families who could have had those appointments have to wait longer. There is a non refundable fee of £50 for all appointments to be paid at time of booking.
Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are subject to the full charge for assessment fee accepted at time of booking.
Non refundable booking fee £50
Cancellation fee within 24hrs
Home appointment:
Initial assessment £150.
Reassessment £70.
PAYMENT VIA BACS
Option 1 - £230
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HOME VISIT TONGUE TIE ASSESSMENT AND DIVISION.
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Babies seen up to 10months of age.
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(Fee reduced to £150 if no procedure is required)
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Twins £330.
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POST PROCEDURE BREASTFEEDING GUIDANCE/SUPPORT WITHIN APPOINTMENT,
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FOLLOW UP NEXT DAY VIA TEXT..
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OPEN ACCESS FOR 2 WEEKS POST PROCEDURE FOR ADVICE AND SUPPORT.
Option 2- £100
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HOME VISIT REFORMATION ASSESSMENT.
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(Fee reduced to £70 if no procedure is required)
(Re-assessment + procedure if required from
4-6 weeks healing time from original procedure)
2-4% occurrence rate.
Home Tongue-tie assessment & Division
1 hr 30 min • £230
More about Latch Perfect
My name is Anna Branch and I am the founder of Latch Perfect.
I am a NMC registered midwife with over 10 years of extensive experience within all areas of the NHS. I completed my training with Wolverhampton University as a
Tongue-tie specialist.
I am a student in Craniosacral Therapy qualifying in (CST1 adults).
I am keen to ensure that all parents receive timely infant feeding support and appropriate Tongue-tie assessments by a qualified practitioner. Tongue-tie appointments are held in the comfort of your own home avoiding long NHS wait times for families in
Worcestershire, Warwickshire & Oxfordshire.
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Registered with the CQC through Beautiful Births Ltd.
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The Association of Tongue-tie Practitioners (ATP)
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I am registered with the NMC & RCM
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Professional Indemnity Public Liability & Malpractice Insurance held with Westminster Insurance
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Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday 9-5pm
Appointments on request.
*Please be aware that at times unavoidable changes may happen at short notice.
*Requested appointment time maybe adjusted to meet commute between visits.
HOME VISITS:
Redditch & surrounding areas of Worcestershire& Warwickshire & Oxfordshire.
"BIRMINGHAM
Absolutely fantastic experience with Anna has made such a difference to my little girl can’t thank you enough would definitely recommend
"Shirley"
Truly amazing lady! She was knowledgeable, kind and professional. She put both me and my baby at ease before the procedure, then stayed until we were comfortable and discussed everything we needed post-procedure. I would highly recommend!
"BIRMINGHAM"
I honestly can’t recommend Anna enough. After discovering our baby had a tongue tie when he was born, it really had an affect on his latch and air intake which was having a noticeable affect as the days went on. We booked Anna in when our baby was 6 days old and it has made the biggest difference already.
Anna was incredibly thorough and showed us how the tongue tie was affecting our baby. She also went through some technique’s of bottle feeding too as we struggling with him taking in way to much air creating a lot of trapped wind. We also looked at different positions for breastfeeding which were a great help. Within a day baby was then able to latch again and we noticed a huge difference in him as he was so much more calmer which made the world of difference.
Best decision we made booking Anna in straight away as it’s really changed our feeding journey resulting in a much happier mum/dad and baby
