Oral Tie Evaluations & Feeding Support
Helping Families Navigate Oral Ties with Confidence
At Baby Steps Florida, we take a whole-body approach to evaluating your baby’s feeding, oral function, and development to determine what may be contributing to their difficulties.
I have extensive experience evaluating and treating infants and children with oral motor dysfunction, including concerns related to tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties. Oral ties can impact breastfeeding, bottle feeding, transitioning to solids, and overall oral function.
I assess oral motor skills, body tension, primitive reflexes, head and neck alignment, breathing patterns, sensory processing, and overall motor development to identify factors that may be affecting feeding and function.
If an oral tie is suspected, I work collaboratively with families and their healthcare team to determine the most appropriate plan of care. Therapy may include improving oral motor strength and coordination, reducing body tension, promoting optimal positioning and movement patterns, supporting nervous system regulation, and providing individualized caregiver education. When appropriate, I also provide pre- and post-frenectomy therapy to help optimize outcomes and support a successful return to feeding.
My goal is to empower families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need while helping each child develop safe, efficient, and enjoyable feeding skills.
What Are Oral Ties?
An oral tie occurs when the tissue (frenulum) under the tongue, upper lip, or cheeks is tighter or more restrictive than expected. In some babies, this may affect tongue mobility, while in others it causes no functional concerns.
The presence of a frenulum alone does not necessarily mean treatment is needed. The key question is whether it is affecting function.
Signs Your Baby May Benefit from an Evaluation
Breastfeeding
- Painful latch
- Clicking sounds while feeding
- Frequent unlatching
- Shallow latch
- Poor milk transfer
- Long or very short feeds
- Slow weight gain
- Frustration during feeds
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Bottle Feeding
- Clicking
- Milk leaking from the mouth
- Choking or coughing
- Excessive gas
- Difficulty maintaining suction
- Fatigue during feeds
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Oral Motor & Development
- Limited tongue movement
- Difficulty sticking out the tongue
- High palate
- Persistent tongue thrust
- Difficulty transitioning to solids
- Gagging
- Oral aversion
- Preference for one side during feeding
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Our Approach
At Baby Steps Florida, we look beyond the oral tie itself.
Your evaluation includes assessment of:
• Oral motor function
• Tongue mobility
• Sucking coordination
• Reflex integration
• Muscle tension
• Head and neck mobility
• Torticollis or body asymmetries
• Overall developmental skills
Our goal is to understand the function, not simply identify the anatomy.
Collaborative Care
When appropriate, we work alongside your family’s:
• Pediatrician
• Lactation consultant (IBCLC)
• Pediatric dentist
• ENT
• Speech-language pathologist
• Physical therapist
• Chiropractor
• Other members of your baby’s care team
FAQ
Do all tongue ties need to be released?
If a release is recommended by your medical team, therapy before and after the procedure can help support improved oral function and feeding outcomes. The decision should be based on how the tie affects your baby’s function and feeding, not just its appearance.