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The Baby Element Clinic

Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction

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Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction

Holistic Support for Tongue-Tie & Oral Dysfunction

Is feeding feeling like a constant uphill battle?
Many parents are told their baby has a “slight” tongue-tie, or perhaps they’ve been told there is no tie at all—yet feeding remains painful, messy, or frustrating. At The Baby Element, we believe that how your baby’s mouth functions is far more important than how it looks.
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Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction

Common Signs of Infant Oral Dysfunction

If you are noticing the following, your baby may be struggling with restricted movement or persistent muscle tension:
  • Breastfeeding Challenges: Persistent nipple pain, flattened nipple shape (the 'lipstick' sign) after feeding, or baby frequently slipping off the breast despite positioning and attachment support and the “latch looks great”.
  • Bottle Feeding Struggles: Excessive leaking from the corners of the mouth, clicking sounds, gulping loudly, “guzzling” feeds, or taking a very long time to finish a bottle.
  • General Symptoms: Weight gain is slow or more than expected (typical weight gain is 25-40g per day), excessive gas from gulping air (aerophagia), or a baby who seems "frustrated" or restless at the breast or bottle.
Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction

Why a Frenulotomy Isn't Always a "Quick Fix"

It is a common misconception that oral dysfunction and the associated feeding issues are caused solely by the frenulum, or “tongue tie” (the small string under the tongue). Successful sucking and swallowing involve the coordinated effort of cranial nerves and around 50 pairs of muscles across the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw.

A tongue-tie is often just one piece of a complex puzzle. If these muscles are tight, weak, or uncoordinated, a frenulotomy (tongue-tie release) may not be the magic solution parents are hoping for. We focus on neuromuscular patterns—teaching those muscles how to work together for a comfortable, efficient feed.

Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction

Our Holistic Approach to Oral Function

We don’t just look at the piece of skin under the tongue; we look at your baby, and family as a whole. Our specialist consultations dive deep into:
  • Full Oral Assessment: Evaluating the range of motion, strength, and coordination of the tongue, lips, and jaw.
  • Addressing Body Tension: Often, oral struggles are linked to tension in the neck, shoulders, and even the ribs or pelvis. We can identify when bodywork (such as osteopathy) is needed to "unlock" tension patterns causing challenges.
  • Functional Therapy: We provide targeted exercises to improve overall body position and oral motor skills. For some babies, improving function through therapy can resolve feeding issues without the need for surgery as the frenulum itself is not the root cause of the restriction.
  • Pre & Post-Frenulotomy Support: If a procedure is clinically indicated, we provide essential “prehab” (before frenulotomy) as well as "rehab" exercises after a procedure. This ensures the muscles learn new movement patterns rather than reverting to old, restrictive habits.
Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction

Tongue Tie & Oral Dysfunction Assessment & Support in Wilmslow

Specialist Tongue-Tie Support in Wilmslow & Cheshire Based at our Wilmslow clinic, The Baby Element provides expert assessment for families across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and the North West. If you are searching for a tongue-tie specialist near me, we offer a holistic alternative to the “quick-fix” approach.

Many parents visit us reporting a painful latch, clicking sounds while feeding, or a baby who is constantly gassy and frustrated. These are classic signs of infant oral dysfunction. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, our IBCLC-led clinic focuses on improving your baby’s range of motion and muscle coordination.

We provide comprehensive pre- and post-frenulotomy care, ensuring your baby develops the functional skills needed for comfortable feeding. From our base in SK9, we support families in Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Stockport and beyond to achieve stress-free feeding through expert, compassionate clinical care.

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