Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect at a Tongue-Tie appointment?
I will assess your baby’s tongue, mouth and palate and discuss the findings with you. I will be open and honest based on my professional judgement and experience as to whether I believe a tongue tie division would be beneficial, or whether we could implement some additional feeding support to see if this rectifies the situation. Please visit www.tongue-tie.org.uk to gain information to help guide you in making an informed decision about the benefits of this service. If you are uncertain whether this service will meet your needs please call me prior to the appointment to discuss.
Is anaesthetic used for a tongue tie release?
This procedure is usually done without anaesthesia as it is a quick simple procedure and causes a pinch like response in babies. Some babies sleep through the surgery and do not appear to feel the release.
I treat babies under one year without anaesthetic. However with babies over 3 months, parents may consider giving some baby paracetamol one hour before the procedure.
What does the procedure involve?
I use gloves to protect your baby from any germs and gently examine your babies ability to move the tongue. I will encourage your baby to protrude their tongue, move their tongue from side to side and suck on my finger to ascertain the effectiveness of their suck and swallow. Then I will look at the shape of the tongue and the height of the roof of their mouth. Finally I will feel under their tongue.
If the procedure is indicated we will discuss the risks and potential benefits before I obtain your written consent.
I use single use, sterile scissors to divide the frenulum and then insert a small piece of gauze. This distracts the baby and also mops up any droplets of blood. The baby will be returned immediately to you for feeding. If you are breastfeeding you will be supported with positioning and attachment. Once the baby has finished feeding I will check for any evidence of continued bleeding.
My baby has not had Vitamin K?
I would prefer your baby to have had Vitamin K by injection or at least 1 dose of oral Vitamin K prior to having a Tongue Tie Division. However, I will perform an individual risk assessment and consider a frenulotomy if we decide it is safe to do so.
What is your experience?
I have 8 years experience practicing as a Frenulotomy Specialist Midwife in the NHS. I decided to offer a private service as I understand and appreciate the wait for an appointment may be too long to wait when parents are keen to overcome the difficulties they are experiencing feeding their baby.
What happens at a lactation consultation?
I will observe, advise, offer recommendations based on the latest evidence based practice, support you with your infant feeding issues and together, we will try to rectify your difficulties.
Can you help with preparation for feeding my baby?
Whether you would like to breastfeed, combination feed, express, use donor breastmilk or formula, I can provide you with an array of invaluable evidence based information and practical skills to help you feel prepared and confident to feed your baby.
Topics will include, antenatal colostrum harvesting, how to initiate and establish breastfeeding, positioning and attachment, normal infant feeding behaviours, expressing and storing breastmilk, sterilisation and making up bottle feeds.
Do you offer virtual consultations?
Yes, we can off a 1 hour virtual consultation discussing your needs and finding solutions to help you achieve your feeding goal. Advice on how to establish breastfeeding or overcome any feeding difficulties you may be experiencing.
(There are limitations to virtual feeding support as I am unable to assess your baby’s mouth and tongue. If you are concerned that your baby may have a tongue tie, I would strongly recommend a face to face appointment)
What can I expect at a Tongue-Tie appointment?
I will assess your baby’s tongue, mouth and palate and discuss the findings with you. I will be open and honest based on my professional judgement and experience as to whether I believe a tongue tie division would be beneficial, or whether we could implement some additional feeding support to see if this rectifies the situation. Please visit www.tongue-tie.org.uk to gain information to help guide you in making an informed decision about the benefits of this service. If you are uncertain whether this service will meet your needs please call me prior to the appointment to discuss.
Is anaesthetic used for a tongue tie release?
This procedure is usually done without anaesthesia as it is a quick simple procedure and causes a pinch like response in babies. Some babies sleep through the surgery and do not appear to feel the release.
I treat babies under one year without anaesthetic. However with babies over 3 months, parents may consider giving some baby paracetamol one hour before the procedure.
What does the procedure involve?
I use gloves to protect your baby from any germs and gently examine your babies ability to move the tongue. I will encourage your baby to protrude their tongue, move their tongue from side to side and suck on my finger to ascertain the effectiveness of their suck and swallow. Then I will look at the shape of the tongue and the height of the roof of their mouth. Finally I will feel under their tongue.
If the procedure is indicated we will discuss the risks and potential benefits before I obtain your written consent.
I use single use, sterile scissors to divide the frenulum and then insert a small piece of gauze. This distracts the baby and also mops up any droplets of blood. The baby will be returned immediately to you for feeding. If you are breastfeeding you will be supported with positioning and attachment. Once the baby has finished feeding I will check for any evidence of continued bleeding.
My baby has not had Vitamin K?
I would prefer your baby to have had Vitamin K by injection or at least 1 dose of oral Vitamin K prior to having a Tongue Tie Division. However, I will perform an individual risk assessment and consider a frenulotomy if we decide it is safe to do so.
What is your experience?
I have 8 years experience practicing as a Frenulotomy Specialist Midwife in the NHS. I decided to offer a private service as I understand and appreciate the wait for an appointment may be too long to wait when parents are keen to overcome the difficulties they are experiencing feeding their baby.
What happens at a lactation consultation?
I will observe, advise, offer recommendations based on the latest evidence based practice, support you with your infant feeding issues and together, we will try to rectify your difficulties.
Can you help with preparation for feeding my baby?
Whether you would like to breastfeed, combination feed, express, use donor breastmilk or formula, I can provide you with an array of invaluable evidence based information and practical skills to help you feel prepared and confident to feed your baby.
Topics will include, antenatal colostrum harvesting, how to initiate and establish breastfeeding, positioning and attachment, normal infant feeding behaviours, expressing and storing breastmilk, sterilisation and making up bottle feeds.
Do you offer virtual consultations?
Yes, we can off a 1 hour virtual consultation discussing your needs and finding solutions to help you achieve your feeding goal. Advice on how to establish breastfeeding or overcome any feeding difficulties you may be experiencing.
(There are limitations to virtual feeding support as I am unable to assess your baby’s mouth and tongue. If you are concerned that your baby may have a tongue tie, I would strongly recommend a face to face appointment)
