Baby Tongue-Tie & Feeding Support at Divine Smiles
At Divine Smiles, we understand how stressful feeding challenges can be for new parents. That’s why we’ve created our dedicated Tethered Oral Tissue (TOT) Clinic, where families receive caring, professional support from our on-site IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) and Dr Mah, who performs gentle tongue- and lip-tie releases right here in our clinic.
Our goal is to make sure both you and your baby are comfortable, supported, and thriving.
What Is a Tongue-Tie?
A tongue-tie (also known as ankyloglossia) happens when a small piece of tissue under the tongue doesn’t separate properly during development in the womb.
This can restrict how the tongue moves and make it harder to breastfeed, bottle-feed, swallow, chew, or even speak as your child grows.
Tethered oral tissues can also occur under the upper lip or inside the cheeks, not just the tongue.
Signs Your Baby Might Have a Tongue or Lip Tie
Not all ties look the same — some are easy to see, while others are hidden deeper under the tongue and can only be felt by a trained professional.
Some signs to look out for include:
- Difficulty latching or staying latched during feeding
- Clicking or popping sounds while feeding
- Long or frequent feeds, or baby tiring easily
- Gassiness, reflux, or poor weight gain
- Nipple pain, cracked nipples, or blocked ducts for mum
- Mouth breathing or noisy breathing during sleep
- Speech delays or unclear words (in older children)
If any of these sound familiar, it might be worth having your baby assessed by our experienced team.
Why Tongue Function Is So Important
A healthy tongue plays a key role in your baby’s growth and development. When it moves freely, it helps shape the mouth, support good jaw growth, and encourage nasal breathing.
When movement is restricted, it can contribute to:
- High or narrow palates
- Crowded teeth as the child grows
- Ongoing mouth breathing or snoring
- Frequent ear or sinus infections
- Poor muscle development and posture
Our Gentle Approach
At Divine Smiles, we take the time to understand your baby’s individual needs before making any treatment recommendations.
Our assessment includes:
- Visual Check – We look for visible signs of restriction.
- Gentle Manual Exam – Feeling under the tongue and lips to check movement and tension.
- Functional Assessment – Watching how your baby feeds and moves their tongue.
Only after this full assessment will we recommend whether a release is needed and what care will support the best outcome.
What to Expect
Our clinic brings together two essential parts of care:
- IBCLC Support: Our lactation consultant helps with feeding, positioning, and ongoing guidance before and after the procedure.
- Dr Mah: Performs precise, gentle releases using the latest techniques for minimal discomfort and quick recovery.
- Follow-Up Visits: We continue to support your baby’s healing and tongue function to ensure long-term success.
