How Tongue Tie Affects the Whole Body - Not Just Feeding
When most people hear the term tongue tie, they think of difficulties with breastfeeding or bottle feeding. And while feeding issues are often the first sign, tongue tie can actually have a much broader impact on a baby’s body.
At Body Zest, we often see babies whose tension patterns, unsettled sleep, or digestive discomfort are linked, at least in part, to the effects of tongue tie. Understanding how it affects the body helps parents see why gentle osteopathic treatment can make such a difference.
What Exactly Is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie (or ankyloglossia) happens when the small piece of tissue under the tongue, the frenulum, is shorter, tighter, or thicker than usual. This limits how freely the tongue can move.
Because the tongue plays such a big role in sucking, swallowing, and even shaping the mouth and jaw, restricted movement can have a ripple effect on the rest of the body.
How Tongue Tie Affects the Whole Body
1. Feeding Difficulties and Tension
When a baby can’t move their tongue properly, they often have to work much harder to feed. This can cause tension through the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. Over time, that strain can affect how comfortable they are when lying flat, turning their head, or being held.
2. Digestive Discomfort
If a baby struggles to latch or swallow smoothly, they may swallow more air during feeds, leading to trapped wind, reflux, or colic-like symptoms. Osteopaths often notice that these babies also have tension through the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.
3. Head and Neck Imbalance
Tongue tie can influence the development of the cranial bones, jaw alignment, and neck muscles. Babies may prefer turning their head one way, develop flat spots on the skull, or find tummy time uncomfortable.
4. Sleep Disturbance
Feeding challenges and body tension can make it harder for babies to settle into deep, restorative sleep. You might notice frequent waking, restlessness, or discomfort when lying on their back.
5. Ongoing Developmental Effects
Even after a tongue tie release (frenulotomy), babies sometimes retain residual tension patterns. Without gentle bodywork, they may continue to show compensations in how they feed, move, or hold their posture.
How Osteopathy Can Help
Osteopathy doesn’t “treat” the tongue tie itself, but it can help the body adapt and release the patterns of tension that come with it.
At Body Zest, our paediatric osteopath gently assesses your baby’s whole body, not just the mouth and jaw. We look at how their tongue, neck, shoulders, diaphragm, and spine are all connected.
Using soft, hands-on techniques, we can help:
Release muscle tension caused by feeding effort
Improve comfort and mobility through the neck and shoulders
Support smoother feeding and digestion
Encourage more restful sleep and relaxation
Osteopathic care is gentle, safe, and tailored to your baby’s unique needs, often leaving them (and you) feeling calmer and more settled after treatment.
When to Seek Help
You might consider seeing a paediatric osteopath if your baby:
Struggles to latch or tires quickly during feeds
Prefers turning their head one way
Shows signs of reflux, wind, or colic
Has ongoing tightness or discomfort after a tongue tie release
Is restless or difficult to settle
Even small improvements in comfort and mobility can make a big difference in how your baby feeds, digests, and sleeps.
Final Thoughts
Tongue tie affects more than just the mouth, it can influence how a baby’s entire body moves, feels, and develops. By supporting balance and comfort throughout the body, osteopathy can be a valuable part of your baby’s care alongside other professionals such as lactation consultants and tongue tie specialists.
If you’d like to book an appointment with our paediatric osteopath, Marie, click here.