What will happen at your appointment?
Your appointment will be face to face at the clinic in Ossett, West Yorkshire.
Your appointment
What will happen at your appointment?
Your appointment will be face to face at the clinic in Ossett, West Yorkshire.
The appointments are allocated for 90 minutes and the clinic will be facilitated by Donna.
The appointment includes a full oral assessment using the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function. The results of this assessment will then be fully discussed with you.
If a tongue tie is identified, the procedure will be fully explained, including the risks and benefits, and you can then decide whether you would like to go ahead. If so, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Immediately after the procedure, I like you to feed your baby as this helps to comfort them and minimise any bleeding.
A full oral check will be performed before you leave the clinic.
You can be present throughout the whole appointment and have one support person accompany you if you wish.
PLEASE NOTEI do not offer a virtual assessment as both function and appearance contributes to the assessment and decision making process.
The procedure
What is a frenulotomy?
Frenulotomy is described as a simple, quick procedure and in early infancy is performed without anaesthesia. NICE, (2005) suggests that there are no major safety concerns about division of tongue tie.
Your baby will be swaddled and held gently. Depending on the age and mobility of your baby, I may need to ask yourself, or your support person, to hold your baby's head still during the procedure. Their tongue will be lifted and sterile scissors will be used to divide the tongue tie. The medical name for the procedure is a frenulotomy.
Your baby may cry during the procedure, but this is usually very short lived.
After the procedure, there may be a small amount of bleeding. Feeding may be resumed immediately as this helps to calm and sooth your baby. I will support you with your feeding immediately after the procedure.
Afterwards
Aftercare and follow up
Some mothers report an improvement straight away. However, in some cases, this may take longer as you build on your baby's tongue muscle and strength with oral exercises, and baby re-learns how to feed.
Feeding is dynamic and constantly changing. A frenulotomy forms one part of a complex feeding jigsaw and therefore a division of tongue tie is just one piece of that jigsaw.
It is important to remember that it can take time for some babies to gradually transition from the use of things that may have been introduced, such as finger feeding and nipple shields, whilst their breastfeeding gradually improves.
You will receive a follow up call within one week of the procedure. I'll explain wound healing, and explore any ongoing feeding issues and are happy to answer any other questions you may have.
My aim is for you to leave happy and confident after your visit. However, I do recognise that some parents may need additional ongoing support, and I am happy to give continued support by phone or WhatsApp. I can also signpost to local support groups, as well as offer follow-up face to face feeding sessions, if required (30 minutes – £50.00).
Getting here
How to find me…
Private and secure premises on Spa Street, Ossett, just 5 minutes from Junction 40 of the M1. Free car parking available.
Tongue Tie Midwife Yorkshire Spa Street Offices, Spa StreetOssett, West Yorkshire
WF5 0HJ
- Private and secure premises
- Free car parking on site
- 5 minutes from Junction 40 of the M1
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Questions
The things parents ask
Do you see bottle-fed babies?
Yes. Tongue tie results in feeding difficulties that are not specific to whether you are breast or bottle feeding. Therefore, changing the method of feeding does not change the function of the tongue.
How old can my baby be?
Appointments are offered to any baby up to 6 months of age (sometimes older if you enquire).
Do you offer a virtual assessment?
No. I do not offer a virtual assessment as both function and appearance contributes to the assessment and decision making process.
Will feeding improve straight away?
Some mothers report an improvement straight away. However, in some cases, this may take longer as you build on your baby's tongue muscle and strength with oral exercises, and baby re-learns how to feed.
Feeding is dynamic and constantly changing. A frenulotomy forms one part of a complex feeding jigsaw and therefore a division of tongue tie is just one piece of that jigsaw.
What if my baby does not need a division?
All fees to be paid at the time of booking. If a tongue tie procedure is not required / performed – a refund of £120 will be made.
Can it re-attach?
Re-attachment can sometimes occur (nationally in about 4% of babies following a frenulotomy). A full oral assessment can be repeated around 5–6 weeks after the first division, and a re-division performed if needed. There is a small fee of £75 for this service.
Where is the clinic?
Private and secure premises on Spa Street, Ossett, just 5 minutes from Junction 40 of the M1. Free car parking available.
Can someone come with me?
You can be present throughout the whole appointment and have one support person accompany you if you wish.
Trust your gut.
If you are struggling with feeding and are struggling to understand why, book for an assessment with a qualified Tongue Tie Specialist.