Tongue-Tie in Babies and Breastfeeding

The NHS says tongue-tie is where the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that 4% to 10% of newborns have tongue-tie. ² Below is what recognised health bodies say about what it is, how it can affect breastfeeding, and when treatment is or is not needed, quoted and linked.

Key takeaways

• The NHS says tongue-tie is where the skin connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. ¹
• The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates 4% to 10% of newborns have tongue-tie. ²
• The NHS says treatment is not usually needed if a tongue-tie is not causing any problems. ¹
• The NHS says to speak to a midwife, health visitor or GP if you think your baby has tongue-tie. ¹

**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓

What is tongue-tie?

The NHS says tongue-tie is where the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics says that in children with tongue-tie, the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of their mouth is unusually short or tight. ² La Leche League adds the medical name, saying tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is caused by a tight or short lingual frenulum, the membrane that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth. ³ La Leche League also cautions that degrees of tongue-tie vary and it can be difficult to diagnose accurately, with a short, tight, posterior tongue-tie being especially hard to spot. ³

Does tongue-tie affect breastfeeding?

La Leche League says a baby needs to be able to move his tongue freely and extend it over the lower gum with his mouth open wide to be able to breastfeed well. ³ The American Academy of Pediatrics says that although the condition has long been thought to cause breastfeeding issues, research has not shown a clear link. ² It adds that fewer than half of infants with physical signs of tongue-tie have trouble nursing, and that in one US study of 115 babies referred for tongue-tie surgery, 63% did not need the procedure to resolve nursing issues. ² La Leche League makes the related point that breastfeeding challenges can occur for other reasons, so identifying the cause with skilled help matters before deciding on solutions. ³

Does tongue-tie need treatment?

The NHS says treatment is not usually needed if a tongue-tie is not causing any problems. ¹ La Leche League frames the flip side: where a tongue-tie is causing breastfeeding problems, treatment options are available and effective, especially if prompt. ³ If treatment is done, the NHS says that in young babies, tongue-tie surgery is usually done without any anaesthetic. ¹

When should I see someone?

The NHS says to speak to a midwife, health visitor or GP if you think your baby or child has tongue-tie. ¹

Frequently asked questions

What is tongue-tie?

The NHS says it is where the skin connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. ¹

Does tongue-tie affect breastfeeding?

La Leche League says a baby needs free tongue movement to feed well; ³ the AAP says research has not shown a clear link, ² and that fewer than half of babies with signs have trouble nursing. ²

Does tongue-tie need treatment?

The NHS says treatment is not usually needed if it is not causing problems; La Leche League says where it does cause problems, treatment is available and effective, especially if prompt. ^{1 3}

When should I see someone?

The NHS says to speak to a midwife, health visitor or GP if you think your baby has tongue-tie. ¹

A note from us

We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.

Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.

When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.

Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.

We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.

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Sources

1. NHS (National Health Service). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tongue-tie/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).
2. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/tongue-tie-in-babies-how-ankyloglossia-affects-breastfeeding.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).
3. La Leche League International. https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/tongue-lip-ties/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).