Most parents know that a lip or tongue-tie can make breastfeeding challenging, but what’s less commonly understood is how these ties can continue to impact your child as they grow. Beyond nursing, these oral restrictions can make it harder for babies to transition from purees to solid foods, affecting not just how they eat—but what they eat.
What Are Lip and Tongue-Ties?
A lip or tongue-tie occurs when the thin tissue connecting the lip or tongue to the mouth (the frenulum) is too short, thick, or tight. These ties limit movement and flexibility, which can interfere with a baby’s ability to latch, swallow, or coordinate their mouth muscles properly. While some children outgrow mild ties, others experience lasting effects that extend into feeding, speech, and even dental development.
Why Feeding Challenges Don’t End After Breastfeeding
Once breastfeeding ends, many parents assume their child’s feeding issues will resolve. However, a lip or tongue-tie can continue to make eating difficult long after the bottle or breast is gone. Babies with restricted tongue movement may struggle to manipulate food in their mouths, leading to gagging, spitting out solids, or refusing certain textures altogether.
For example, tongue mobility is essential for moving food from side to side, pressing it against the roof of the mouth, and swallowing safely. If the tongue can’t move freely, your child might avoid tougher foods like meats or fibrous vegetables because they’re harder to chew and swallow. Over time, this can lead to limited food preferences—and potentially, nutritional gaps.
According to pediatric feeding experts, this restriction can also make children hypersensitive to textures. A child might prefer smooth foods like yogurt or mashed potatoes and reject anything crunchy or chewy. As noted by specialists at TongueTie.net, these oral limitations can affect how a child learns to lick, chew, and even manage saliva—all important for normal eating patterns.
Early Signs Your Child May Be Struggling
Parents often notice signs of feeding difficulty as their baby transitions to table foods. Common indicators of a possible lip or tongue-tie include:
- Gagging or choking on solids more than expected
- Refusing to eat certain food textures or groups
- Prolonged mealtimes or frustration while eating
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving food around the mouth
- Excessive drooling or pocketing food in the cheeks
If these patterns sound familiar, it’s important to have your child evaluated. A pediatric dentist or specialist can determine whether a tie is contributing to the feeding challenges and discuss whether a simple procedure—known as a frenectomy—may help restore normal movement.
Helping Your Child Thrive
The good news is that most children respond well to treatment and support. Once the restriction is released, many families work with a feeding therapist to help their child relearn oral movements and rebuild confidence around food. Over time, this can make mealtimes less stressful and ensure your child receives the balanced nutrition they need for healthy growth.
A quick evaluation could be the key to helping your child enjoy food with ease.
About the Practice
Dr. Jesse Witkoff and his team provide specialized pediatric dental care for the Boulder community with a focus on diagnosing and treating lip and tongue-ties. Our compassionate, evidence-based approach helps infants and children overcome oral restrictions and feeding difficulties through gentle frenectomy procedures and collaborative care. Visit us to learn more about how lip and tongue-tie treatment can support your child’s feeding and development.
Call us at (720) 743-3340 or request an appointment online.