Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia) Concerns & Breastfeeding Support
Wondering if a Tongue Tie Is Affecting Feeding?
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) has received a great deal of attention in recent years. While tongue tie can contribute to feeding challenges, it is also frequently overdiagnosed, and not every breastfeeding problem is caused by a tongue tie. Many parents come to me because they are worried about painful feeding, slow weight gain, poor milk transfer, clicking during feeds, or low milk supply. Sometimes tongue function is part of the picture. Other times, there are other factors contributing to feeding difficulties. Office visits in Lafayette • Home visits within 15 miles • Virtual visits throughout Colorado
Signs That May Be Associated With Tongue Tie
Painful breastfeeding
Difficulty maintaining a latch
Clicking while feeding
Poor milk transfer
Slow weight gain
Persistent nipple damage
Long feeding sessions
Difficulty bottle feeding
Low milk supply related to ineffective milk removal
These symptoms can have many causes, and a tongue tie is only one possibility.
My Approach
I do not diagnose tongue-tie.
As an IBCLC, I assess feeding function, milk transfer, latch, and oral function to help determine what factors may be contributing to feeding difficulties.
Your visit may include:
Feeding assessment
Latch evaluation
Weighted feed
Oral function assessment
Pumping assessment
Review of weight gain and milk transfer
The goal is to understand why feeding is difficult—not simply whether a frenulum is present.
If a Tongue Tie Is Suspected
If concerns arise during our assessment, I can help you understand your options and refer you to trusted providers for further evaluation when appropriate.
Not all tongue ties require treatment, and successful feeding depends on much more than anatomy alone.
Schedule a Consultation
If feeding isn't going the way you expected, you don't have to figure it out alone.
Most visits are covered by insurance, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Colorado Medicaid, Curative, and First Health.