Tongue tie is also known as ankyloglossia. This is when a baby is born with a short and tight lingual frenulum, the attachment of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This can restrict tongue movement, including protrusion and elevation, and may interfere with breastfeeding.
Presentation
It usually presents as poor feeding or is noticed by the mother, midwife, or doctor during newborn checks. Tongue tie may present with:
- Poor latch
- Prolonged or frequent feeds
- Clicking during feeds
- Poor weight gain
- Maternal nipple pain, trauma or mastitis
Management
Diagnosis is based on tongue appearance, tongue movement and feeding assessment.
Mild tongue tie can be monitored if feeding is effective and weight gain is adequate.
Symptomatic tongue tie can be treated with frenotomy. This involves a trained person cutting the tongue tie. In young babies, this is usually a quick procedure performed in clinic, with or without local anaesthetic, depending on local practice. Complications are rare and include excessive bleeding, scar formation and infection.
Last updated June 2026
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