Newborn Tongue-Tie Treatment | Blossom Pediatrics

Newborn Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie Treatment
Houston, TX

Feeling Frustrated that Your Baby isn't Feeding Well?

Maybe you've sought help but have yet to find answers, leaving you more confused than ever. Perhaps you have received a diagnosis of tongue-tie, but aren't sure how to proceed. Or you may have been given conflicting information about whether your baby has a tongue-tie.

Blossom is here to help you figure it out, with our expert knowledge and customized care. Find out if your baby's feeding issues are due to tongue-tie, and if so, how it can be effectively treated. Our tried-and-tested protocols have helped tongue-tied babies feed better. When these babies feed better, they also feel better. In our experience, many of their fussiness and sleep issues, when related to feeding poorly, improve significantly after treatment. If we determine that tongue-tie is not the culprit, we can still assist with identifying the cause and finding a solution.

Tongue-tie is a common issue that causes feeding problems. These problems usually present shortly after birth and can cause a lot of frustration for both babies and parents, if not promptly diagnosed and treated.

Most people are familiar with anterior tongue-tie, where the tip of the tongue is tethered to the front of the mouth. However, posterior tongue-tie, where the tethering is further back, is less well-known even among medical professionals, but can be just as troublesome. Lip-ties are sometimes present, however tongue-ties are more common and usually produce the majority of symptoms.

Treating tongue-tie and lip-tie is usually a straightforward, low-risk procedure and can often lead to resolution of symptoms, some immediately, others gradually over time.

As a mother of 2 children whose posterior tongue-ties were diagnosed shortly after birth, Dr Chan personally understands the frustration, anxiety, and grief that can accompany the difficulty feeding tongue-tied newborns. After her experience, she was inspired to become a lactation consultant to assist other moms through breastfeeding challenges. She was also compelled to shadow renowned tongue-tie expert Dr. Bobby Ghaheri, to learn his technique in tongue-tie treatment. She has been treating tongue-tie and lip-tie since 2018.

Patient Reviews for Dr. Chan

"Our little one was inconsolable for weeks. Dr. Chan was able to identify a tongue-tie and fixed it right away. It changed our whole world. Couldn't ask for a more knowledgeable and dedicated doctor. She was a godsend to some very tired and frustrated parents."

Rebecca D.

"Our little one failed to thrive due to poor feeding caused by tongue tie. I reached out to Dr. Chan for help and was so glad I did because two weeks after frenotomy, he appeared happier and showed significant improvement in feeding."

Jennifer H.

"I wish we had found Dr. Chan sooner. Our little one failed to thrive due to poor feeding caused by tongue tie. I reached out to Dr. Chan for help and was so glad I did because two weeks after frenotomy, he appeared happier and showed significant improvement in feeding. Moreover, Dr. Chan is kind and personable, and genuinely cares about her patients. Thanks, Dr. Chan. You're awesome!"

Jennifer H.

"Dr. Chan performed a frenotomy on my son and we nearly immediately started seeing an improvement in breastfeeding issues that had plagued us since birth. If you are having lactation and feeding issues as they relate to a tongue tie, I highly recommend Dr. Chan. It has made all the difference in my experience as a new mom."

Kate Z.

"I sought out Dr. Shirley Chan as a specialist in tongue ties and lactation issues when my son was born with a tongue tie and it was not resolved in the hospital immediately following birth. I wanted a doctor that had experience in performing the release procedure who also had lactation experience and Dr. Chan fit the bill.

She was thorough, professional, and compassionate throughout the entire process from initial consultation to follow up. Dr. Chan performed a frenotomy on my son and we nearly immediately started seeing an improvement in breastfeeding issues that had plagued us since birth. We were happy to find an expert in the Houston area with not only the experience and expertise that we needed but also the bedside manner that we didn't find in the hospital.

We are forever grateful for her and what she did that allowed us to have a successful breastfeeding relationship - something I am confident would not have happened without her performing the procedure and the aftercare we received. If you are having lactation and feeding issues as they relate to a tongue tie, I highly recommend Dr. Chan. It has made all the difference in my experience as a new mom."

Kate Z.

Blossom Pediatrics Tongue-Tie & Lip-Tie Treatment Package

$750
For one simple fee, our tongue-tie/lip-tie treatment package includes the following:

Initial Consultation with Feeding Evaluation

Procedure for tongue-tie and/or lip-tie, with detailed guidance before and after

Two follow-up appointments, with wound care guidance and feeding assistance

Tongue-tie/lip-tie and feeding consultation, without procedure $300

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* Dr Chan only performs the tongue-tie/lip-tie procedure on infants 3 months old and younger.

** If your baby is breastfeeding, Dr. Chan highly recommends working with a lactation consultant before seeking treatment for tongue-tie or lip-tie, as some of the above symptoms may be caused by other issues or can be addressed by adjusting the positioning or latch of the baby. Dr. Chan's initial evaluation includes a focused feeding assessment at the breast or bottle, to determine if baby's feeding symptoms are related to tongue-tie or lip-tie, or if other causes can be identified and treated accordingly. We recommend following up closely with a lactation consultant after the procedure, to continue working on latching.

*** Blossom Pediatrics does not bill insurance directly; payment in full is due at the time of service. A superbill will be produced upon request, for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Blossom does not guarantee insurance coverage for tongue-tie/lip-tie treatment; any reimbursement is subject to your policy's out-of-network rates.

Information on this website does not constitute medical advice and is not a guarantee of specific clinical outcomes. Individual results and experiences may vary.

Common Questions

Feel free to reach out via info@blossomfamilies.com for further questions.

Do you use a laser or scissors? What's the difference?

I use sterile surgical scissors to perform the procedure. In newborns, the age group I exclusively treat, I am able to get similar end-results to using a laser. The main difference is the amount of bleeding control during the procedure. The laser cauterizes blood vessels as it cuts. With scissors, I use other techniques to control the bleeding, which is usually minimal in newborns. When comparing providers who correct tongue-tie, it is more useful to compare their surgical technique rather than their preferred tool. When the technique used results in a complete correction of the tongue-tie, the tool used is irrelevant; the use of either laser or scissors can achieve the same end result. For a more detailed discussion, look up Dr. Ghaheri's blog post titled: "How to Choose Your Provider: Does Laser vs Scissors Matter?"

What is posterior tongue-tie? Why does it matter?

Posterior tongue-tie is a less well-known diagnosis than classic anterior tongue-tie, which describes a tongue-tie that extends to the tip of the tongue. Posterior tongue-tie involves tight tissue that is close to the base of the tongue, where it connects to the floor of the mouth. This tight tissue prevents the middle of the tongue from lifting to the roof of the mouth, a motion that is necessary for the tongue to create a seal against the palate. When there is a lack of seal in the mouth, you can hear clicking with sucking and sometimes see leaking of milk. Air-swallowing may occur, causing gas and sometimes reflux. Suction strength can also be affected, causing babies to take a long time to feed, or to incompletely empty the breasts.

A posterior tongue-tie cannot be detected by simply looking at the baby's mouth. Generally, you have to stand behind the baby's head and use two fingers to lift the tongue from its base, to see and feel if there is tight tissue connecting it to the floor of the mouth. Also, we have to correlate the anatomy with how the baby is functioning, whether there are symptoms of tongue-tie affecting the feeding. A speech therapist or lactation consultant may be able to provide more information about the baby's feeding function.

Even classic anterior tongue-tie, when the thin membrane in the front is snipped, often has a posterior component that is still tight. Therefore, babies who have such a procedure may still show symptoms of posterior tongue-tie. For a more complete discussion, check out Dr. Ghaheri's blog post entitled "Rethinking Tongue Tie Anatomy: Anterior vs Posterior is Irrelevant".

At Blossom, we completely assess for and treat tongue-tie. You can rest assured that your baby receives the most up-to-date and comprehensive treatment protocol that ensures the best outcome possible.

What kind of anesthesia is needed?

Your baby will not have to be put to sleep for this procedure. All that is needed is a topical numbing gel that is applied just before the procedure. The gel wears off within 30 min to an hour. Most babies are ready to feed afterward. Pain control at home can be achieved with Infant Tylenol. Dosing instructions will be given to you on the day of the procedure.

Do you recommend aftercare?

Aftercare is a series of gentle stretches and suck exercises that we recommend you perform for a few weeks after the procedure. This optimizes the healing process, so that the tongue is able to gain the movement and strength necessary for improved feeding. You will receive detailed instructions, in-person and written, on how to perform aftercare. A pre-emptive word here: aftercare exercises are not meant to be performed in a rough or painful way. They can be performed in a manner that minimizes discomfort, yet still guide the healing process for optimal results.

What about bodywork? What is it and why might it be necessary?

Bodywork is a gentle, light-touch, hands-on type of physical therapy that can help relieve tension in the body, especially in the soft tissues. Bodywork is commonly performed by osteopathic physicians (DOs), physical or occupational therapists, or chiropractors. Generally, these providers are specially trained in cranial osteopathy (if they are DOs), or craniosacral therapy (non-DO providers).

The birthing process can often affect newborns' bodies due to the forces of being pushed through the birth canal. Even babies born by C-section may have had their heads lodged in the mother's pelvis for long periods of labor. These squeezing forces may cause misaligned skull bones, compressed nerves, and tense muscles in the head, neck, and body. The end result may be a baby that has clamped-tight jaws, difficulty opening their mouth wide to feed, tight and twisted necks, or even curved bodies.

When we notice signs and symptoms of high tension in our patients' bodies, oftentimes we recommend bodywork to help relieve the tension and help with feeding. Many tongue-tie providers recommend bodywork before and after the procedure, as tongue-tie itself causes tension in the mouth that can extend to the head and neck. We can discuss the use of bodywork on an individual basis during your consultation.

Newborn Tongue-Tie Treatment
at Blossom

Empathetic and Knowledgeable Care

Comprehensive Treatment

Personalized Service

Feeling Frustrated that Your Baby isn't Feeding Well?

Patient Reviews for Dr. Chan

Most Common Symptoms of Tongue-Tie

Blossom Pediatrics Tongue-Tie & Lip-Tie Treatment Package

Common Questions

Do you use a laser or scissors? What's the difference?

What is posterior tongue-tie? Why does it matter?

What kind of anesthesia is needed?

Do you recommend aftercare?

What about bodywork? What is it and why might it be necessary?

Tongue-Tie Articles by Dr. Chan

World IBCLC Day - March 2, 2022

June 2022 Update

When Tongue-ties Cause Feeding Difficulties

Newborn Tongue-Tie Treatment at Blossom

Empathetic and Knowledgeable Care

Comprehensive Treatment

Personalized Service

Feeling Frustrated that Your Baby isn't Feeding Well?

Patient Reviews for Dr. Chan

Most Common Symptoms of Tongue-Tie

Blossom Pediatrics Tongue-Tie & Lip-Tie Treatment Package

Common Questions

Do you use a laser or scissors? What's the difference?

What is posterior tongue-tie? Why does it matter?

What kind of anesthesia is needed?

Do you recommend aftercare?

What about bodywork? What is it and why might it be necessary?

Tongue-Tie Articles by Dr. Chan

World IBCLC Day - March 2, 2022

June 2022 Update

When Tongue-ties Cause Feeding Difficulties

Newborn Tongue-Tie Treatment
at Blossom