Doctor reviews: TONGUE-TIES!! 10 questions to consider before a frenotomy!
Is your baby struggling to latch or feed? You may be wondering if your baby has a tongue-tie.
In this video, a board-certified neonatologist explains 10 important questions parents should ask before diagnosing or treating a tongue-tie in babies. Many newborns have a short frenulum but feed perfectly well, so understanding the signs of true symptomatic ankyloglossia is essential before considering treatment.
In this video, you’ll learn:
✔ What a tongue-tie looks like in newborns
✔ Signs your baby may have feeding problems
✔ Why appearance alone does NOT diagnose a tongue-tie
✔ The role of lactation consultants in improving breastfeeding
✔ When feeding problems may have other causes
✔ Myths about lip ties and buccal ties
✔ Risks and benefits of a Frenotomy
✔ When watchful waiting may be the best option
Many parents feel pressure from social media to fix tongue-tie quickly, but the evidence shows that treatment should only be considered in specific cases.
This video will help parents better understand feeding difficulties, breastfeeding pain, and when medical evaluation is truly needed.
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Dr. Tala is a board-certified neonatologist and has worked in busy level III and IV units for the past 18 years. She has won multiple teaching awards throughout her time as a neonatologist.
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References:
Identification and Management of Ankyloglossia and Its Effect on Breastfeeding in Infants: Clinical Report. Pediatrics August 2024; 154 (2): e2024067605. 10.1542/peds.2024-067605
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Six-examples-of-babies-diagnosed-as-having-tongue-tie-showing-the-variation-in-the_fig1_7466340
Messner AH, Walsh J, Rosenfeld RM, Schwartz SR, Ishman SL, Baldassari C, Brietzke SE, Darrow DH, Goldstein N, Levi J, Meyer AK, Parikh S, Simons JP, Wohl DL, Lambie E, Satterfield L. Clinical Consensus Statement: Ankyloglossia in Children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 May;162(5):597-611. doi: 10.1177/0194599820915457. Epub 2020 Apr 14. PMID: 32283998.
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Lee SG, Viegelmann GC, Dorji J, Lim HY. An approach to feeding problems in infants and toddlers. Singapore Med J. 2024 Dec 1;65(12):686-691. doi: 10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2022-109. Epub 2024 Dec 16. PMID: 39675050; PMCID: PMC11698276.
Severity of Retrognathia and Glossoptosis Does Not Predict Respiratory and Feeding Disorders in Pierre Robin Sequence - https://www.researchgate.net
Booth L, Aldaihani A, Davidson J, Wilson C, Lawlor C, Hong P, Graham ME. Misinformation and Readability of Social Media Content on Pediatric Ankyloglossia and Other Oral Ties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Feb 1;151(2):143-150. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.4211. PMID: 39666364; PMCID: PMC11826352. CopyDownload .nbib
van der Heijden D, Bruijnzeel H, Schuffel IL, Hol MLF. Frenulotomy - what are the clinical benefits? A review on the management of tongue-tie. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2026 Feb 23;203:112768. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2026.112768. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41785818.
Walsh J, Tunkel D. Diagnosis and Treatment of Ankyloglossia in Newborns and Infants: A Review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Oct 1;143(10):1032-1039. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.0948. PMID: 28715533.
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*Disclaimer*: This video is intended for educational purposes only and while we strive to give the most accurate information, errors may occur. Subsequently, this video should not be a replacement for medical advice.