If you’ve found this blog because you’re searching for how to stop a tongue tie from reattaching you’re in the right place. This article will walk you through what’s really happening – and what you can do about it.
I often hear from families who’ve been told their baby’s tongue tie has ‘reattached’ and needs to be cut again. If that leaves you feeling confused, you’re not alone. Here’s the truth: if a tongue tie division is done correctly, it can’t actually reattach. What can happen, however, is that scar tissue forms in a way that causes new restrictions. For the tongue to regain full, free movement, that scar tissue needs to heal in a long, thin line. Sounds simple enough, right?
The Conditions Tongue Ties Need to Heal
Sometimes this happens naturally through good tongue movement during feeding, but more often the tongue can’t manage it on its own because of the other restrictions your baby is facing, such as tension and having used compensatory muscles up until the division.
This means that if the tongue can’t move well on its own after the division, the scar tissue may heal thick and short. This can cause as many problems as the original tongue tie – and in some cases, even more.
And on these occasions you may be told another division is needed. But that isn’t always the case. And we know that cutting again will cause more scar tissue, so we need to address the root of the problem (getting the tongue moving well) so that the same problem doesn’t keep occurring.
Preparing for a Tongue Tie Division
Preparing the tongue before a division helps ensure the lingual frenulum – the restricted skin beneath the tongue – is as thin as possible, which can mean less bleeding and discomfort for your baby. It also helps the tongue learn to move more effectively, making it better able to function well after the division.
You might be wondering – what does preparing the tongue actually involve? It starts with a thorough, holistic assessment of your baby, looking not only at their mouth and tongue but also at any tension they may be holding throughout their body. From there, we use gentle exercises over a week or two to release tension and improve tongue function. Some babies show significant improvement from these exercises alone, even before the tongue tie division takes place. How your baby uses their tongue during feeding is also key, so understanding how to support their unique needs at the breast or bottle is an essential part of the process.
Then post division exercises are needed to continue to support the scar tissue to heal in a way that allows full tongue function. It’s not a quick solution, as sadly it rarely is with tongue tie and oral dysfunction. But it is a way forward that offers optimal results. The tongue tie division is only a small part of the solution.
Finding the Right Support for Tongue Tie Division
If you didn’t have this kind of support before your baby’s tongue tie division and you’re still facing some – or even all – of the same challenges, don’t panic. There’s still plenty that can be done. In many cases, scar tissue can be remodelled through gentle exercises that lengthen tight oral muscles and help the scar tissue soften and stretch, allowing the tongue to move freely. Think of it as physiotherapy for the tongue – building strength in the right way and restoring full movement.
If your baby is still struggling after a tongue tie division, it doesn’t mean you’ve reached the end of the road – it simply means their tongue needs more support. With the right assessment, targeted exercises, and feeding guidance, it’s often possible to improve tongue function and resolve feeding challenges without another cut. Every baby’s journey is unique, and with the right approach, there is real hope for progress and comfort – for both you and your baby.
If you’re local, then I can support you in person with any struggles you are having around feeding and tongue tie in West Sussex. And if you’re further afield then a virtual appointment may be what you need.
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