There’s a lot of misinformation that can lead to confusion when it comes to the topic of tongue ties. I always want to educate and empower parents with information that is evidence-based to help you make informed decisions that best support you and your baby or toddler. Today I’m sharing 3 important things I believe all parents need to know about tongue ties.

1. Your pediatrician may not be well-versed in addressing the presence of Ties

Most pediatricians, while incredibly skilled in various aspects of a child’s health and well being, do NOT receive training in assessing and identifying the presence of ties. In fact, this area is not taught in most grad programs either, this includes SLPs, OTs, and IBCLCs too. I literally pivoted my career almost 4 years ago to invest countless hours into receiving continuous education and training to specialize in area. And the truth is pediatricians typically do not have the time to assess for the presence of ties in a short check-up appointment. But a consultation with a skilled tie savvy provider can though!

If you have concerns, a functional evaluation with a preferred providers such as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Occupational Therapist (OT), and Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is your best first step to addressing your concerns.

2. Ties do NOT stretch as your baby grows

There is no evidence backed by science to support the claim that, ‘ties stretch with time.’

Ties are similar to webbed fingers. Your fingers/toes cannot move as freely as they would if they weren’t webbed. Depending on how restrictive the webbing is, the more functional challenges you may have. As you grow, your fingers stay tethered together. The webbing doesn’t grow or stretch out.

The same is true for ties! In fact, research has shown the fascia/connective tissue in ties have collagen cells that only stretch by about 3%. And if there are challenges that really won’t do much!

3. Ties cannot be diagnosed from a picture alone

We see this all the time in FB groups and IG posts/stories from concerned parents. And the truth is we really cannot determine if there is a tie based on a picture!

While there may be visual markers, ties are identified based on functional challenges. We have to assess and determine if feeding, sleep, airway, speech are being impacted and if so, is it due to restricted mobility? A photo alone cannot give us these answers.

If you have concerns it’s best to schedule a functional evaluation with a preferred provider! The provider you see should be able to complete a thorough assessment that addresses both structure and function! After your evaluation your provider may identify oral motor dysfunction &/or the presence of oral restrictions, will share recommendations and any necessary referrals, and work with you to create a care plan that support you and your baby.

Do you suspect your baby or toddler has a tie?

Download your FREE tongue tie screener here! If you are in Northern VA, contact me today and let’s get you scheduled for a consultation!