Tongue Tie Specialist Ashford Kent, Ashford (2026)

Registered Midwife and Frenulotomist

Member of the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners (ATP)

Registered privately as a provider with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Please visit my instagram (tonguetiespecialist)/ website for further information.

20/08/2026

WHY IS TONGUE-TIE SO COMMON NOW? 👅

A question I hear all the time

“Why does it seem like every baby has a tongue-tie now?”

The truth is… tongue-tie isn’t new❗️
It has been around for generations … long before social media, long before modern lactation support and, yes, long before folic acid was introduced 🤰🏼👀

So what has changed?

Our awareness ☺️💜👩🏼‍⚕️

We understand so much more about infant feeding than we did years ago 👩🏼‍🍼🤱🏼
We have better breastfeeding education, more access to lactation support and a greater understanding of how a baby’s tongue function can affect feeding👅

Because we are looking more carefully at function, we are identifying babies who may previously have simply been labelled as:

❌ “A baby who just doesn’t latch very well”
❌ “A sleepy feeder”
❌ “A mum who doesn’t have enough milk”
❌ “A fussy feeder”
❌ “A messy feeder”

Think about other conditions where awareness and recognition have changed over time. We see more children being identified with ADHD and Autism for example. That doesn’t automatically mean those conditions suddenly appeared. We have just become better at recognising, understanding and identifying them 📚👨‍⚕️👧🏼👦

Tongue-tie is similar in one important respect:

The condition isn’t new. Our understanding of it is evolving!

If you suspect a tongue tie, if feeding just doesn’t quite feel right (breast or bottle) then seek support from a qualified, reputable tongue tie specialist practitioner💜
Sadly not all healthcare professionals are trained in assessing tongue function … so with all the best intentions we don’t always get it right 😔 Misdiagnosis can have a profound impact 🤦‍♀️ Your midwife, health visitor, GP or other healthcare professional may recognise that something isn’t quite right with feeding, but tongue-tie assessment and the impact it can have on feeding is not part of their specialist training. I have seen many babies over the years where parents have been told there is a tongue tie … and there isn’t! I’ve equally seen many families where they’ve been told there isn’t and there is 💜 Support from the right practioner is key 🗝️

19/08/2026

Could your baby be working harder than they need to during feeds? 👅

Sometimes tongue tie isn’t the first thing that comes to mind…

You might notice that your baby:

• takes a long time to feed
• seems to feed constantly but never seems satisfied
• clicks or makes lots of noise during feeds
• struggles to maintain a deep latch
• repeatedly slips off the breast or bottle
• dribbles milk during feeds
• seems windy or uncomfortable afterwards
• has difficulty coordinating sucking, swallowing and breathing
• or you’re experiencing pain despite trying different positions and latch techniques

And sometimes… your baby is gaining weight well, but feeding still doesn’t feel easy 🤦‍♀️

A baby can compensate incredibly well. Good weight gain doesn’t necessarily tell us how efficiently or comfortably they are feeding❗️

This is where looking beyond the appearance of the frenulum matters! As I always say … function over form every.single.time!

👅 How does the tongue move?
👅 Can it lift, extend and cup effectively?
👅 Is there good peristalsis?
👅 Can your baby maintain suction?
👅 What is happening mechanically during a feed?.. not just ‘what does it look like on the outside’!

A proper functional oral assessment by a qualified tongue tie practioner / specialist will help you understand whether restricted tongue function is actually contributing to your baby’s feeding difficulties and what the options are if it is….

Tongue tie can be a confusing subject for parents. You may hear that it’s nothing to worry about…..Someone else may tell you it definitely needs treating….You might see completely different advice online.

And in the middle of all that, you’re just trying to feed your baby 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦‍♀️👩🏼‍🍼🤱🏼

If something about feeding has been niggling at you, you don’t have to simply accept that it’s something you or your baby needs to put up with 💜

Sometimes you just need someone to look at the WHOLE picture 💜

19/06/2026

“Your baby is gaining weight, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

This is something I hear all the time and ITS NOT THAT SIMPLE! Shout that louder for the people at the back 📢

Weight gain only tells us that milk is being transferred 🧑🏼‍🍼🤱🏼 It doesn’t tell us what feeding actually mechanically looks like!

It doesn’t tell us:
• Whether a baby is working harder than they should just to feed
• Whether feeds are painful or damaging for mum
• Whether there is poor latch, shallow attachment or increased air intake leading to milk spilling / colic / reflux
• Whether baby is compensating with very frequent or prolonged feeds
• Whether feeding is comfortable, effective, or sustainable for either mum or baby!

I’ve supported many families where weight gain looked “perfect” on paper, but feeding was anything but easy in real life.

Parents in pain. Babies unsettled. Feeds relentless.

Weight is one small piece of information and NOT a full assessment of feeding‼️

If feeding hurts, feels stressful, or doesn’t feel right, that deserves proper investigation ‼️ Not reassurance based on a weight chart 🤦‍♀️

06/05/2026

The sleep industry has a growing problem and it’s one we can’t ignore 😢 A recent BBC News undercover investigation highlighted so-called “sleep experts” giving advice that directly contradicts safe sleep guidance from the NHS and The Lullaby Trust. Some were even stepping beyond their scope as so called ‘sleep experts’ offering assessments and conclusions they are not trained or qualified to make. The reality is there is no regulation of the title “sleep expert.” Anyone can adopt it, regardless of training or clinical background. For exhausted, vulnerable parents, that creates a confusing and at times, unsafe space to navigate (especially when social media popularity is mistaken for professional credibility). And this isn’t unique to sleep 🤦‍♀️ Within infant feeding and tongue tie, we see similar patterns. Misinformation is common:
“Your baby can stick their tongue out, so they’re not tongue tied” not true❗️
“They’ll grow out of it” not supported by evidence❗️
“They’re gaining weight so they’ll be fine” 🤦‍♀️ yet they’re showing all the symptoms of a baby really trying hard to compensate with restricted function❗️
Equally, some babies are being labelled as having a tongue tie based purely on appearance, despite having good tongue function and simply needing time and skilled feeding support❗️Please know that assessment of tongue tie is about function, not just what is visible and it requires appropriate training, skill and clinical understanding. So how do parents know who to trust?
Ask questions of any ‘expert’ or professional giving you advice on your baby:
* What is their training and background?
* Are they accredited or regulated?
* Do they follow current, evidence-based guidance?
A qualified, safe, ethical practitioner will ALWAYS welcome these conversations. And for professionals it is ok not to have all the answers … but it is essential to recognise when something sits outside your scope and to refer on appropriately. Families deserve accurate, evidence-based support and as professionals, we all have a responsibility to stay within our area of expertise. Continued in comments …

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Ashford

Website

http://www.tonguetiespecialistkent.co.uk/

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