Clicking, a painful latch, and conflicting opinions everywhere you look. Here’s how to tell whether a release could help your baby, and what to try first.
The short answer
A tongue tie release can be worth it when a tight frenulum is truly limiting how your baby’s tongue works and feeding problems continue despite good lactation support. It isn’t the right answer for every baby whose mouth “looks” tied. The best decision comes from a careful feeding assessment that looks at function, not just appearance, plus a plan for support before and after.
Why everyone seems to have a different answer
If you’ve asked this question in a parenting group, you’ve probably heard everything from “every baby has a tie” to “releases are never needed.” No wonder it feels confusing.
Here’s some helpful context. In 2024, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a clinical report noting a sharp rise in tongue tie diagnoses. It found that most breastfeeding difficulties, including pain, are not caused by tongue tie, and it recommends reserving frenotomy for babies with significant functional problems when nonsurgical support hasn’t worked (AAP summary on HealthyChildren.org). The same report notes that research suggests a release can reduce nipple pain in the short term, while effects on breastfeeding overall are less consistent.
So a release can help the right baby. The real work is figuring out whether that’s your baby.
I care less about what’s under your baby’s tongue and more about what that tongue can do. Function tells us far more than appearance.
Dr. Ashley DeBoer, DC, IBCLC
Function over appearance
As an IBCLC (a board-certified lactation consultant), I watch how your baby actually feeds, rather than judging by a quick look in the mouth. These are the signs I pay attention to.
Signs to look for
- Tongue movement: can the tongue lift, extend, and cup around the breast or bottle?
- Latch comfort: is the latch deep and comfortable, or are you in pain?
- Milk transfer: weight gain and diaper counts tell us a lot.
- Feeding sounds and patterns: clicking, milk leaking, gassiness, or long feeds that leave your baby still hungry.
- Body tension: a head-turn preference or a tight jaw can also affect the latch.
Clicking on its own isn’t a diagnosis. It’s one clue, and it means the most alongside the others.
What to try first
Many feeding challenges improve with positioning and latch support, managing milk flow, and time. Small changes can make a real difference.
Gentle work to ease tension in the jaw, neck, and body may also help some babies feed more comfortably. To be clear, this kind of bodywork hasn’t been well studied, and it’s never required. If your baby’s function is still limited after that support, a referral to a releasing provider makes sense.
If you decide a release is right
Preparation and follow-up matter as much as the procedure itself:
- Choose an experienced provider, and ask about their aftercare plan. Recommendations on post-release exercises vary, so follow your provider’s guidance.
- Keep feeding support in place. Babies often need time to learn a new way to use their tongue.
- Keep things calm. Skin-to-skin, gentle handling, and patience go a long way in the first days.
Questions parents ask
Will a release fix my nipple pain right away?
Some parents notice a difference quickly. For others it takes weeks of practice, and some find a release doesn’t resolve their pain. That’s why ongoing feeding support matters.
Is it too late if my baby is a few months old?
Not necessarily. Feeding assessment and support can help at any age. Talk with your provider about timing.
Does my baby need bodywork before or after a release?
It isn’t required. Some families find gentle, low-force care helps their baby feel more comfortable and organized for feeding, but it’s one option, not a prerequisite.
Does clicking during feeds mean my baby has a tongue tie?
Not on its own. Clicking is one clue worth mentioning to your lactation consultant, and it means the most when we look at it alongside latch comfort, milk transfer, and weight gain.
Feeding help in Scottsdale
If you’re weighing a release, you don’t have to sort it out alone. I can help you understand what’s going on with feeding and what’s worth trying first. Text or email to schedule a feeding and tension assessment at reluume in Scottsdale.
This article is for education and is not a substitute for care from your pediatrician or releasing provider.
