We want your baby to get the care they deserve.

Tongue-Tie

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition present at birth that can restrict the tongue's range of motion. Tongue-tie, an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) underneath the tongue can restrict tongue movement, so it may interfere with breast-feeding. Those with tongue tie might, have some difficulty sticking out their tongue. Tongue-tie can also affect the way a child eats, speaks and swallows.

Treating Tongue-Tie

The procedure to divide a baby's tongue-tie is called a FRENOTOMY. A small piece of tissue under the baby's tongue is divided to enable optimum tongue movement and function, to help mother and baby to breastfeed more effectively. Treatment is not always needed, if your baby has tongue-tie but can feed without any problems. If their feeding is affected, treatment involves a simple procedure known as tongue-tie division or frenotomy. It is a quick, simple and almost painless procedure that usually improves feeding straight away.

Health Insurance & Pricing

The assessment fee may be claimed from certain health insurance providers. I am a registered lactation consultant with the Association of Lactation Consultants of Ireland. Many health insurance policies provide cover for post natal lactation consultant assessments. The procedure fee may be claimed under GP expenses under certain health insurance policies.

The fee is €300 for up to 4 months postnatal, and €350 – €400 for 4 to 12 months, inclusive of assessment, frenotomy procedure and a follow-up appointment.

Tongue-Tie and Breastfeeding

In babies with tongue-tie, this piece of skin (the frenulum) is unusually short, holding the tongue down and restricting its movement. Not all babies with tongue tie have problems breast feeding. But if the tongue tie is tight – the tongue cannot move freely and lift up, therefore causing problems with feeding for both mother and her baby.

Symptoms of Tongue-Tie in your Baby

  • An obviously visible frenulum or tongue-tie, under the tongue.

  • The tongue doesn't lift up to the palate when baby cries.

  • Baby has difficulty in staying on or latching on the breast, bobbing on and off.

  • Continuous feeding

  • Baby falls asleep quickly at the breast.

  • Slow weight gain

  • Babies may be windy, with symptoms similar to colic.

  • A clicking noise can be heard when feeding.

Symptoms for Mom

  • Sore, cracked, bleeding nipples.

  • Nipples look similar to tip of lipstick post a feed.

  • Breasts not empty post a feed.

  • History of blocked ducts, or mastitis.

  • Low milk supply as baby is not transferring enough milk.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed, you should seek help from a trained lactation specialist who will assess your baby's suck and tongue mobility.

Managing
Tongue Tie:

Frenotomy Procedure: this is a very minor procedure performed by a doctor. The frenulum is cut by either scissors or laser. It takes approx 60 seconds. An anaesthetic is not necessarily required. We will encourage you to feed your baby immediately after the procedure. You should see an immediate effect, but it may take 2 weeks for full improvement.

Appointments for breastfeeding babies are a priority in the clinic as we are both very passionate about breastfeeding. You can find a list of Lactation Consultants through clinking this link – https://www.alcireland.ie/.

It is so important that you seek help from a trained lactation consultant in the days and/or weeks following the tongue tie (frenotomy) division. They will assess your baby's suck and tongue mobility and help to achieve the optimum outcome following release of tongue ties. Helping you and your baby to have the best possible positive breastfeeding experience.

Cranial Sacral Therapy/ Chiropractors - can help to free up movement of tongue, head and neck, and can be very successful treatment after frenotomy.

Bottle Feeding:

  • Some babies can take only a small amount of milk at each feed.

  • Babies may dribble a lot throughout the feeds.

  • Feeding can take a long time.

  • Changing the bottle teat does not usually seem to help.

  • Some babies can have difficulty with keeping dummies in their mouths

OUR REVIEWS

I found the tongue tie clinic in Ely fantastic. The care and attention that my little girl was given was outstanding. In addition the aftercare was above and beyond. Aileen was fantastic and kept in contact with me for weeks after the procedure, checking up on how my little one was doing and also encouraging me when my little girl was struggling to latch on. Dr.Azam is a fantastic paediatrician. You can tell that he really cares for his patients. Overall our experience was great. They made the whole experience a lot less stressful on us and answered any and all questions we had no matter what time of the day it was. I would highly recommend.
– Amy

“Our daughter Alana had tongue tie which prevented her from breastfeeding. She was reviewed by Prof Azam and Aileen, the lactation consultant and they scheduled her in for her tongue tie release which she had at 4 days old. We noticed an improvement within hours and she is breastfeeding exclusively since.

We are delighted with her progress and very grateful to have had access to this service in Wexford, in such a timely manner and we found both Prof Azam and Aileen’s care excellent and highly professional.
– Mairead

I was delighted with the care my baby was given when getting her procedure done. It only took a couple of minutes and I was back in the room cuddling my little one Dr Azam and Aileen assured me it would only take a short time and went over the aftercare with me afterwards and kept in touch to ensure we were getting on OK with the exercises. Really happy with the whole experience.
– Mary

My daughter was born in May in Wexford General Hospital. The following day one of the midwives noticed she had a tongue tie. She told me about the tongue tie clinic run by Dr Azam in Ely House and that another midwife Aileen worked in his clinic. Aileen saw Mary Jane that night and arranged an appointment for me for the following week in Ely House. I was delighted that during the lockdown that I didn’t have to bring my daughter to Dublin for this procedure and to be seen within a week was just brilliant. The whole procedure itself took a very short time and everything was explained to me very clearly beforehand by both Aileen and Dr Azam.

After her tongue tie was fixed, Aileen gave me lots of time helping me latch my daughter on for a breastfeed and answered any questions as well as going through the after care and tongue exercises that needed to be done.The follow up care was also excellent as Aileen contacted me several times to make sure that everything was going well for myself and Mary Jane and I always knew she was only at the end of the phone should I ever need her.

Mary Jane is now a very happy 4 month old little girl and getting on great. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dr Azam's tongue tie clinic as the care we received from both Aileen and Dr Azam was exceptional. Many thanks for everything.
– Sarah

Great experience with Ely house getting tongue tie procedure done on my son, it was very quick. Aileen was amazing with Ruán and really helped me relax when he was having the procedure done. 
– Niamh

I recently had my daughters tongue tie released at the clinic where we received excellent care from initial consultation to the follow up care. We felt very much at ease in terms of Covid measures and everything about the procedure was explained thoroughly to us. The procedure was extremely quick with no sign of discomfort afterwards. We were given advice on the aftercare and Aileen, lactation consultant, was in touch the following days and even provided a home visit to check there was no reattachment which was greatly appreciated at the time. The service we received was extremely professional and personal.
– Aoife

* SOME NAMES CHANGED FOR PRIVACY

I found the clinic very professional and they completely put me at ease when i was there for my 3 month olds tongue tie snip. A very positive experience  :)
– Hannah

My daughter Niamh had a slight tongue tie which was corrected in Dr Azam's clinic in Ely Hospital, Wexford in June 2020. Dr. Azam was very efficient in replying to my email to request an appointment. I was greeted upon arrival by a lactation consultant/midwife called Aileen who was so helpful. Everything was explained prior and any questions answered. I did not need to be present for the procedure and felt at ease when leaving my daughter for the 10 or 15 minutes while the procedure was carried out. Dr. Azam advised me on the aftercare and proceeded about his day however Aileen spent over an hour going through the tongue  exercises and the aftercare, helping with my latch and different holds in which I could breastfeed my baby. Aileen Instantly relieved any concerns I had about breastfeeding and instilled confidence in me. I was also very impressed in the fact that both Aileen and Dr. Azam contacted me after to ensure both Niamh and I were OK after the procedure. Niamh had no bleeding and no discomfort so overall I could not fault my experience. 
– Aoife