Is a Tongue Tie Behind Your Struggles? Infant Feeding in Ventura County.

Jun 7

If you are reading this while holding a fussy baby, nursing through tears, or staring at a breast pump, take a deep breath. You are doing an amazing job.

When you first suspect your baby has a tongue tie, it is easy to fall down an internet rabbit hole. You hear terms like "frenectomy," "posterior tie," and "bodywork." Everyone seems to have an opinion, and many well-meaning people might tell you, "Just go get it clipped! It takes two seconds, and everything will be fixed."

But as many mothers quickly learn, a tongue tie release is rarely a simple "quick fix."

The Tongue is a Muscle (And Muscles Have Memories)

Think of a tongue tie like a tight bungee cord holding the tongue down. A release procedure removes that bungee cord, giving the tongue a whole new range of motion. However, your baby has been practicing sucking and swallowing with that restriction since they were in the womb. They have built up strong compensatory habits, using their jaw, lips, and cheek muscles to do the work their tongue couldn't manage.

When the restriction is lifted, your baby doesn't automatically know how to use their "new" tongue. They have the freedom to move it, but they don't have the coordination or muscle memory yet. That is exactly where feeding therapy comes in.

Why Pre-Release Therapy Matters

Think of pre-release feeding therapy like physical therapy before a major orthopedic surgery. Working with an pediatric occupational therapist (OT) or feeding therapist before the procedure helps prepare your baby's mouth for success.

Pre-release therapy focuses on:

Reducing tension: Helping your baby relax their overworked muscles and soft tissue, especially in the jaw and cheek muscles.
Desensitization: Getting your baby comfortable with gentle touch inside their mouth, which makes post-release or wound care much easier for both of you.
Optimizing the current setup: Improving your latch and positioning so feeding is as comfortable as possible while you prepare for the procedure.

A comprehensive 2024 Pediatric Ankyloglossia Protocol Review confirmed that when surgery is combined with structured pre- and post-operative care, families see significantly better improvements in breastfeeding, infant sleep, and overall tongue mobility.

Why Post-Release Therapy is Essential

Once the tie is released, your baby has a raw healing wound in their mouth, and their brain has to map out completely new neural pathways to learn how to suck, swallow, and breathe efficiently.

Post-release therapy guides you through:

Active wound management: Doing specific, gentle exercises to ensure the tissue heals cleanly without reattaching.
Retraining the swallow: Teaching the tongue to elevate to the roof of the mouth to draw milk effectively.
Building strength: Helping your baby build up endurance so they don't tire out halfway through a feeding.

Skipping these exercises can cause the tissue to tighten right back up. In fact, a 2025 Neonatal Frenotomy Follow-Up Study demonstrated that performing targeted post-procedure tongue exercises directly halves the risk of symptomatic tissue re-adhesion, paving the way for long-term functional success.

You Are Not Alone in This Journey

If your baby is struggling to feed, it is not your fault, and it is not a failure on your part. Your baby’s mouth simply needs a little extra help learning how to work. By pairing a release with compassionate, expert feeding therapy, you are giving your baby the exact tools they need to thrive—and giving yourself the peace of mind you deserve.

Hi, I’m Nathalie, Pediatric occupational therapist based in Ventura County.

I have extensive training in the management of tongue ties and I’m here to guide you through your baby’s feeding journey.

Contact Lil’ Nugget Occupational and Feeding Therapy to schedule a phone consultation with me and let’s get you on your way to a happier feeding journey.

With love,

Nathalie