More Than Just Feeding: How Tongue Tie Affects the Whole Body
Tongue tie is most often discussed in the context of feeding difficulties in newborns, but its effects can go far beyond feeding.
At Body Zest, we often see babies whose tongue restrictions are impacting other areas of development: from digestion and sleep to breathing, jaw tension and posture. And in older children, unaddressed tongue tie may even affect speech, dental development and focus.
Here’s how tongue tie can affect the body as a whole, and how osteopathy can help support your baby’s comfort, function and development.
What Is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the band of tissue (lingual frenulum) under the tongue is unusually short or tight. This can limit how freely the tongue can move, particularly upwards, outwards or side to side.
In some cases, the restriction is obvious. In others, the signs are more subtle, and not always picked up right away.
The Whole-Body Impact of Tongue Tie
While feeding issues are the most commonly recognised sign, tongue tie can influence several systems in the body. Here’s how:
1. Feeding and Digestion
A restricted tongue can affect your baby’s ability to:
Create a proper latch
Maintain suction during breastfeeding or bottle feeding
Coordinate swallowing effectively
This may lead to:
Gassy, unsettled feeds
Excessive wind, reflux or colic-like symptoms
Short, frequent feeds or poor weight gain
Because the tongue plays a crucial role in helping milk move efficiently through the mouth and into the digestive system, restrictions here often contribute to digestive discomfort and tension in the rest of the body.
2. Tension in the Neck, Jaw and Shoulders
Babies with tongue tie often compensate for the restricted tongue by overusing other muscles, particularly in the:
Jaw
Neck
Shoulders
This can create a pattern of tension through the upper body, making your baby feel stiff, unsettled, or uncomfortable when lying flat. They may also develop a side preference or dislike tummy time.
3. Breathing and Sleep
The tongue plays an important role in keeping the airway open. When it can’t rest in its natural position on the roof of the mouth, it can subtly affect:
Nasal breathing
Sleep patterns
Restful recovery
Some babies with tongue tie snore, breathe noisily, or wake frequently. While this isn’t always caused solely by the tongue, it’s a key piece of the puzzle.
4. Developmental Movement Patterns
If your baby is dealing with ongoing discomfort or restriction, they may develop compensatory movement habits to avoid discomfort, like arching their back, clenching their fists, or preferring to feed on one side.
Over time, these habits can impact posture, balance, and coordination. It’s not about alarm, just awareness.
How Osteopathy Can Help
Osteopathy does not treat the tongue tie itself, but it can support your baby’s whole body before and after tongue tie release, or as a standalone approach in milder cases.
As paediatric osteopaths, we use gentle, hands-on techniques to:
Release tension in the jaw, neck, shoulders and diaphragm
Improve comfort with feeding, lying, and tummy time
Support calming of the nervous system
Encourage balanced movement and development
We always work collaboratively, and if we feel a referral to a specialist (such as a lactation consultant or tongue tie practitioner) is needed, we’ll guide you through that process.
Final Thoughts
Tongue tie isn’t just about the tongue. It can create a ripple effect through your baby’s body, influencing feeding, comfort, digestion, breathing and more.
With the right support, babies with tongue tie can thrive. Osteopathy offers a gentle, whole-body approach to help restore comfort, ease and function, giving your baby the best possible start.