Tongue & Lip Tie Evaluations for Infants
If you’re concerned that a tongue or lip tie may be affecting your baby’s feeding, trust your instincts — you know your baby best. Our infant feeding specialists are trained to evaluate how your baby’s tongue and lips are moving and functioning, helping to identify any restrictions that may be getting in the way of feeding and development. We’ll walk you through our findings and connect you with the right next steps, including referrals to trusted providers in our area.
Therapy is often recommended both before and after a lip and/or tongue tie procedure. We work closely with you and your frenectomy provider as a team, because the best outcomes happen when everyone is on the same page.
Common Signs of a Tongue or Lip Tie in Infants
- Maternal pain or nipple damage during breastfeeding
- Difficulty latching onto the breast or bottle
- Clicking sounds while feeding
- Poor weight gain
- Slipping off the nipple
- Reduced or compromised milk supply
- Frequent fussiness
- Reflux-like symptoms
- Gagging or choking during feeds
- Biting or “chewing” the nipple
- Pacifier falls out easily
- Mouth breathing
- Needing to feed very frequently
- Difficulty transitioning to solid foods
Keep in mind — not every feeding challenge points to a tongue or lip tie. Our therapists look at the whole picture to help figure out what’s really going on with your baby’s feeding.
Feeding Difficulties
Feeding your baby should be a bonding experience, not a source of stress. Whether you’re nursing or bottle-feeding, a tongue or lip tie can make the entire process harder than it needs to be. When a baby can’t use their tongue and lips effectively to suck and swallow, they often need to eat more frequently just to get enough calories — which leaves both baby and caregivers worn out.
The good news is that when the underlying cause is identified and addressed, progress can happen quickly. At Katy Speech and Language, our certified lactation specialists and speech-language pathologists have specialized training in infant feeding related to tongue and lip ties. We’re here to help your family get to a place where feeding feels manageable — and even enjoyable.