lip & tongue tie services
Many babies are born with a combination of conditions called a tongue and/or a lip tie (ankyloglossia), causing restrictions in tongue movement. Tongue tie is sometimes diagnosed during a baby’s routine newborn check, but it is often missed until challenges with feeding appear.
Common signs of a lip and/or tongue tie can include the following:
The tip of the tongue looks notched or heart-shaped
Unable to stick out their tongue or move it past the edge of their lower lip
The tip of the tongue can’t reach the roof of the mouth
Difficulty moving their tongue from side to side
Trouble latching on or staying on the breast
Long feeding times, or a need to top up
Feeding feels like a full time job
Gain weight at a slower pace than average
Making a “clicking” sound when feeding
Excessive gassiness or colic
Excessive drooling
Open mouth breathing and snoring
Upper lip curls in during feeding
Rejects a soother
Dribbles from the bottle or breast
Baby often sounds congested or mucusy
Pain with nursing/latching to the mother
Mother’s nipples are cracked, or mis-shaped after nursing
Mother has clogged ducts, engorgement, or mastitis
Gap between two front teeth
Difficulty with the introduction of solids
Diagnosis of TOTs (tethered oral tissues) can only be made by a medical doctor or a dentist. However, Chiropractors, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Breastfeeding Consultants can relay their clinical impression and guide you to the appropriate and best referrals for further diagnosis. To be noted, TOTs care is not included in any care provider's general education, but must be sought out via continuing education. All care providers at Rebirth with a focus on TOTs have additional education and experience to serve your baby best.
Normal tongue function is important as it is needed for a baby to latch and breastfeed efficiently, promote normal facial development, and for proper self-cleansing of the mouth. It also encourages adequate swallowing patterns and allows for proper growth and development.
Your baby likely won’t have all the signs mentioned if they are having problems with feeding due to a tongue tie or lip tie. However, if your baby is experiencing any of the signs above, or you feel concerned that your baby may have a tongue tie or a lip tie, please do not hesitate to book a consultation with one of Rebirth's TOTs providers.
rebirth’s lip & tongue tie team
All the professionals at Rebirth work closely together to ensure your baby has the best possible care.
Chiropractors - Dr. Holly Beckley, Dr. Ashley Anderson, and Dr. Richelle Almeida-Knight
Osteopathic Manual Therapist - Hillary Nieman
Registered Massage Therapists - Sarah Zadorsky, Charlotte Kaye McQueen
Lactation Specialists - Alaina Clunas and Heidi Reynolds IBCLC
Counselling Team - because feeding issues are stressful!
lip & tongue tie faq’s
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Body work is defined as a general term to describe a therapist that may help relieve tension and normalize structural issues in the body.
Body work is recommended after a frenectomy to help relieve tension, reorganize soft tissue fibers which will help to improve alignment. It also supports neurological integration of these new patterns, and body awareness.
Body work is beneficial both before and after the frenectomy to help relieve tension from the surrounding muscles. If you didn’t know about body work before the frenectomy that is okay. We can still see beneficial effects with only doing the body work after the frenectomy.
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This is very client specific. For some infants one treatment is enough, for others they may need 12 or more. All body workers will assess the infant and develop a treatment plan based on your infant’s specific needs.
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The short answer is no.
Many of our experienced practitioners can help, including our Chiropractors, Osteopathic Manual Therapist, and Registered Massage Therapists. You may have a preference depending on your previous experience, age or concerns of your baby.
kind words