Tongue Tie in Babies and Children: Signs, Feeding, Speech Issues & Tongue tie Treatment [ Tongue tie Surgery Chandigarh]

By Dr. Dhruv Mahajan, Pediatric Surgeon | Ambala, Chandigarh & Patiala

If your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding, making clicking sounds while feeding, not gaining weight properly, or if an older child has unclear speech, there is a possibility of a condition called tongue tie.

Tongue tie is a very common condition seen in newborns and children, yet many parents remain confused about when it actually needs treatment. Some children do perfectly fine without any intervention, while others may struggle with feeding, speech, oral hygiene, or tongue movement.

As a pediatric surgeon, one of the most common questions I hear from parents is:

“Doctor, does my child really need tongue tie surgery?”

This guide is written to help parents understand tongue tie in simple language — what it is, how it affects children, and when treatment may actually help.

What is Tongue tie

What is Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie, medically known as Ankyloglossia, occurs when the thin tissue under the tongue (called the frenulum) is unusually short, thick, or tight.

Because of this, the tongue cannot move freely.

Normally, the tongue should move upward, outward, and side to side easily. In tongue tie, movement becomes restricted.

Some children have only a mild tongue tie with no symptoms, while others may develop significant feeding or speech difficulties.

Signs and Symptoms of Tongue Tie in Babies

Many parents first notice tongue tie during breastfeeding.

Common symptoms include:

• Difficulty latching during breastfeeding

• Baby slipping off the breast repeatedly

• Clicking sounds while feeding

• Long feeding times

• Poor weight gain

• Excessive gas or swallowing air

• Irritability during feeds

• Milk leaking from sides of mouth

• Mother having nipple pain or cracked nipples

Sometimes the problem is not immediately obvious, especially in mild tongue tie cases.

Signs and Symptoms of tongue tie in children

Tongue Tie and Breastfeeding Problems

A baby needs proper tongue movement to create suction during breastfeeding.

When tongue movement is restricted:

• The baby may not latch deeply

• Milk transfer becomes inefficient

• Feeding becomes tiring for both mother and baby

This can lead to:

• Inadequate milk intake

• Frequent feeding

• Poor sleep

• Maternal breastfeeding discomfort

Many mothers are incorrectly told that they have “low milk supply,” when the actual issue may be tongue restriction.

Early evaluation can make a major difference.

Can Tongue Tie Affect Speech?

This is one of the most searched questions online:

“Does tongue tie cause speech delay?”

The answer is:

Sometimes yes, but not always.

Tongue tie does not usually cause overall speech delay, but it can affect the pronunciation of certain sounds that require tongue mobility.

Some children may struggle with sounds such as:

• T

• D

• L

• R

• Th

• N

Parents may notice:

• Unclear speech

• Difficulty rolling the tongue

• Problems licking lips or ice cream

• Difficulty sticking tongue out

Not every child with tongue tie develops speech issues. A proper assessment is important before deciding treatment.

Tongue Tie in Older Children

In older children, tongue tie may cause:

• Speech articulation issues

• Difficulty maintaining oral hygiene

• Trouble eating certain foods

• Difficulty playing wind instruments

• Social embarrassment

• Problems with tongue movement

Some children may also complain that they cannot move the tongue properly while brushing teeth or cleaning food particles.

How is Tongue Tie Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually clinical and involves:

• Examination of tongue movement

• Assessment of feeding problems

• Speech evaluation (if needed)

• Looking at tongue appearance and frenulum tightness

In babies, we also assess:

• Weight gain

• Feeding efficiency

• Maternal breastfeeding concerns

A detailed examination by a pediatric surgeon or pediatric specialist helps determine whether the tongue tie is truly significant.

Does Every Tongue Tie Need Surgery?

No.

This is extremely important for parents to understand.

Many mild tongue ties do not require any treatment at all.

Treatment is considered when there are:

• Significant breastfeeding problems

• Poor weight gain

• Persistent nipple pain in mother

• Speech difficulties related to tongue restriction

• Functional limitations

The decision should be based on symptoms, not just appearance.

What is Tongue Tie Surgery?

The procedure for tongue tie release is commonly called:

• Frenotomy

• Frenectomy

• Tongue tie release surgery

In small babies, it is often a quick procedure that may take only a few minutes.

In older children, a slightly more detailed procedure may sometimes be needed.

The goal is to improve tongue movement safely.

Tongue tie Surgery in children and Babies

Is Tongue Tie Surgery Painful?

Parents are naturally anxious about this.

In newborns and small infants:

• The procedure is usually very quick

• Babies can often feed immediately afterward

• Recovery is generally fast

Older children may require additional care depending on the severity and type of tongue tie.

Most children recover very well.

Benefits of Tongue Tie Release

When properly selected, treatment may help improve:

• Breastfeeding efficiency

• Weight gain

• Maternal comfort during feeding

• Tongue mobility

• Speech clarity in selected cases

• Oral hygiene

However, outcomes depend on multiple factors, and every child is different.

When Should Parents Consult a Pediatric Surgeon?

You should consider evaluation if your child has:

In Babies:

• Breastfeeding difficulty

• Poor latch

• Poor weight gain

• Clicking during feeds

• Maternal nipple pain

In Older Children:

• Speech concerns

• Restricted tongue movement

• Difficulty licking lips

• Trouble eating or oral cleaning

Early assessment helps parents understand whether observation or treatment is the better option.

When to contact/ consult doctore for tongue tie

Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue Tie

• Can tongue tie go away on its own?

Some mild tongue ties become less problematic as children grow. Others may continue causing symptoms.

• Is laser better for tongue tie surgery?

Different techniques exist. The best approach depends on the child’s age, anatomy, and clinical condition.

• Can bottle-fed babies also have tongue tie?

Yes. Tongue tie can affect bottle feeding too.

• Is tongue tie hereditary?

There appears to be a genetic tendency in some families.

• What is posterior tongue tie?

A deeper or less visible tongue restriction sometimes referred to as posterior tongue tie. Evaluation by an experienced specialist is important.

Final Words for Parents

Tongue tie is common, treatable, and often manageable with proper guidance.

At the same time, not every tongue tie needs surgery. The key is understanding whether it is actually affecting your child’s feeding, speech, or tongue function.

If parents are worried about breastfeeding difficulties, poor latch, speech clarity, or tongue movement, a proper pediatric surgical evaluation can help guide the next step.

About the Author

Dr. Dhruv Mahajan is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing in Ambala, Chandigarh, and Patiala, with experience in newborn surgery, pediatric laparoscopic surgery, and common pediatric surgical conditions including tongue tie, hernia, hydrocele, undescended testes, constipation, and congenital anomalies.