Does Tongue Tie Affect Bottle Feeding?

Learning your baby has tongue tie is difficult for any parent to hear, but with it affecting 5-10% of babies, you’re not alone. 

Tongue tie occurs when the strip of tissue from the tongue to the lower mouth (frenulum) is shorter than normal, causing distress for babies during feeding. While it can typically be managed with bottle-feeding techniques, it’s always best to seek professional advice in case your little one needs treatment. 

Today, we’ll explore how tongue tie impacts bottle feeding, common signs of tongue tie, feeding techniques and when to seek help (along with advice from the experts themselves!). 

How does tongue tie affect bottle feeding? 

In recent years, ‘tongue tie’ has been a common talking point, giving the impression that more babies are affected by it. While it has become a more popular topic – it’s not because more babies are affected now, but rather that it was commonly misdiagnosed in the past. 

… So, can it cause problems with bottle feeding?

Well, yes, sometimes.

Babies with tongue tie often struggle to latch onto the nipple or teat, as they can’t create a strong suction to allow a fast flow, making them unsettled. 

Here are some signs your baby might have tongue tie, and problems you might have when it comes to bottle feeding: 

• Struggles with feeding
• Puts weight on slowly
• Pushes the bottle teat out of their mouth
• Dribbles when feeding
• Feed for a long period of time, frequently, but are unsettled
• Prefers teats with a slower flow
• Chokes on feeds regularly 

Sometimes finding the right teat is the trick for a comfortable feed. Take a look through Munchkin’s baby bottles to find the right one for you.

Other ways to tell if your baby has tongue tie

Looking at your baby’s mouth, you might be able to see: 

• That they can’t fully extend their tongue
• The tip of their tongue has a heart-shaped appearance 
• They struggle to lift their tongue, or move to either side of their mouth

NCT explains:

“Tongue-tie is not just about how your baby’s tongue looks. A tongue can look completely normal to an untrained eye yet still cause substantial problems with feeding…It can only be diagnosed by a qualified tongue-tie practitioner.”

Bottle feeding techniques to try for babies with tongue tie 

Tongue tie affects your baby’s ability to latch on and create a strong seal. Due to this, a lot of mums move to bottle feeding as there are plenty of different teat options, modifications and flow rates to try! You may find a product that helps create a stronger seal, making feeding a smoother process for both the mother and baby. 

Try Munchkin’s Bottles and Sippy Cups today. 

Babies often outgrow tongue-tie without needing treatment. As a result, it’s often about finding a product that lets you and your baby have a comfortable feeding session. 

When to seek professional advice

Most of the time, the frenulum will recede over roughly a year, but sometimes a small procedure, called a frenulotomy, is needed.

The NHS explains how this is nothing to worry about: 

“This is carried out by specially trained doctors, nurses or midwives and is very quick (it takes a few seconds). The surgery simply involves snipping the short, tight piece of skin connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Generally, no anaesthetic is used. As soon as it’s done, you can feed your baby, which helps to heal any bleeding.”

The most important thing is that feeding times are comfortable for you and your baby.

You’ve got this

Here’s what we want you to remember: Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or doing a combination of both, feeding is best – whether your feeding time looks the same, or differs from everyone else. If bottle feeding with modifications is working for your family, that’s wonderful! If you’re struggling, that’s okay too, and it’s absolutely worth seeking professional support.

The most important thing? Trust your instincts. If something feels off about your baby’s feeding, reaching out to a professional is always the right call. They can help assess whether tongue tie is playing a role and discuss your options moving forward.

We hope you’re feeling more confident after reading this. If you’re after some more support with some like-minded parents, take a listen to our podcast, Stroller Coaster today.