Tongue tie
What we do
We treat babies aged eight days to 26 weeks who have a condition called tongue-tie. This means they have a tight piece of skin between the underside of their tongue and the floor of their mouth that makes it difficult for them to breastfeed.
We carry out a small operation which releases their tongue and allows them to latch on and breastfeed properly.
Babies are referred to us by their breastfeeding specialist. They can also be referred by their GP, but they must first be assessed by your breastfeeding specialist.
For details of your breastfeeding specialist, please see the inside cover of your baby Red Book.
Location
First floor, Caldecot Centre, 15-22 Caldecot Road, London, SE5 9RS
Contact Details
- Main Reception: 020 3299 6550
Patient information leaflets
| Title | File Size | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue-tie division | 256 KB |
We treat tongue-tie in infants aged eight days to 26 weeks that is causing breastfeeding difficulties.
Patients must be prepared correctly. See “What is required before referring a patient”, below.
We accept NHS or CCG referrals from breastfeeding specialists including lactation consultants, infant feeding advisers and breastfeeding counsellors.
GP or hospital consultant referrals need to be accompanied by a breastfeeding specialist’s assessment and review of the baby’s breastfeeding.
We do not treat babies:
- with teeth
- that are exclusively bottle-fed
- for speech problems.
What is required before referring a patient
Please ensure the referral meets the following criteria:
- NHS or CCG referral from a breastfeeding specialist including:
- lactation consultant
- infant feeding advisor
- breastfeeding counsellor.
- GP or hospital consultant referrals need to be accompanied by a breastfeeding specialist’s assessment and review of the baby’s breastfeeding.
- Non-NHS referrals must be accompanied by a supporting GP referral to ensure funding for the procedure.
- Confirm whether baby has received vitamin K prophylaxis.
- Confirm baby is aged 1 week or more at the time of referral.
- Babies need to have been assessed (“first feeding assessment”) by a breastfeeding specialist with observation of feed and initial feeding plan made.
- This plan should be reviewed with a face to face (not telephone) assessment of a breastfeed (“second assessment/review”). If there are ongoing problems relating to tongue tie then a referral can submitted to us.
- Include details of how the feeding plan and interventions have assisted breastfeeding or not. Attach copies of your feeding/treatment plan and details of the outcome of its review.
- To ensure frenulotomy-readiness, referrers should have assisted mothers to be predominantly breastfeeding, with minimal use of bottles. If supplements are needed, finger feeding or SNS should be initiated.
- Present difficulties with breastfeeding clearly stated.
- Confirm mother is intending to continue breastfeeding.
- Description of tongue tie and tongue mobility. There is no need to assign a grade.
- Referrals must contain accurate details about the baby – name, date of birth, parents name/ full contact information, address, and GP contact details.
- Confirm arrangements for review of baby’s mouth and their mother’s breastfeeding within 1 week of frenulotomy.
Booking a patient at King’s
Routine Referrals
Complete the referral form below and email it to [email protected].
Emergency Referrals
We do not offer an emergency service. However, appropriately prepared patients can be seen within 7 working days.
Other Queries
For referrals advice, contact the Paediatric Surgery Office, tel: 020 3299 6550
Referral forms
| Title | File Size | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue-tie Service referral form | 134 KB |
Key Clinical Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mr Shailesh Patel | Consultant Paediatric Surgeon |