Understanding Tongue Ties

Few topics spark as much conversation (and confusion) among new parents as tongue ties. With so many opinions online and so many providers weighing in, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you start to wonder — could this be the reason my baby is struggling to latch, gain weight, or stay comfortable during feeds?

At our office, we see many parents walking through the door with these exact questions. Let’s unpack what tongue ties really are, why they’ve become so common, and how a deeper understanding of your baby’s nervous system can help you make the most informed decisions possible.

What Exactly Is a Tongue Tie?

A tongue tie occurs when the tissue that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth (the frenulum) is too short or tight. This restriction can limit how freely the tongue moves — something that’s critical for effective nursing, swallowing, and later, speech development.

Babies with tongue ties often:

• Struggle to latch or stay latched while feeding

• Make clicking sounds during nursing

• Seem hungry shortly after a feeding

• Experience slow or inconsistent weight gain

• Show signs of gas, reflux, or colic

Because many of these symptoms overlap with other infant challenges, such as general digestive distress or nervous system imbalance, it can be difficult to know if a tongue tie is truly the root issue or simply part of a larger picture.

Why Are Tongue Ties So Common Today?

Traditional medicine often points to genetics as the primary cause. But through a neurological lens, there’s more to explore.

Some research connects modern prenatal environments — including increased synthetic folic acid exposure, high maternal stress, and sedentary lifestyles — to a rise in soft tissue restrictions like tongue ties. Functional and holistic practitioners also note that chronic stress in both mom and baby can keep the nervous system in a “fight-or-flight” state, tightening muscles and connective tissue throughout the body — including the mouth, jaw, and neck.

In other words: a tongue tie is rarely just about the tongue. It can often reflect deeper tension within the nervous system that began long before birth.

The “Perfect Storm”: Prenatal Stress, Birth Trauma, and Neurological Tension

Many babies experience what we call a “Perfect Storm” –  a combination of prenatal stress, birth strain, and nervous system tension that starts before they ever take their first breath.

Stress hormones circulating during pregnancy can influence both mom’s and baby’s body tone. Add in a physically demanding or assisted birth (C-section, vacuum, forceps, or long labor), and the delicate cranial and cervical structures can become misaligned. In fact, studies show nearly all newborns experience some level of spinal or cranial stress after birth.

This tension can contribute to:

• Difficulty coordinating suck-swallow-breathe patterns

• Tight jaw and neck muscles

• Shallow latch or inability to open the mouth fully

• Increased fussiness and poor sleep

When viewed through this lens, a tongue tie isn’t always a random anatomical issue – it can be part of a broader story of neurological stress.

Before Considering a Revision: Addressing the Root Cause

Tongue tie revision (a quick surgical release of the frenulum) can be a helpful step for many families, but it’s most effective when the underlying tension is addressed first.

If your baby’s soft tissues are tight because of nervous system stress, simply cutting the frenulum may not create lasting relief. Chiropractic adjustments and other gentle, neurologically focused care can help relax and balance the body before and after a revision, setting the stage for better feeding, faster healing, and improved long-term function.

How Chiropractic Care Fits In

Our approach focuses on identifying and relieving tension within your baby’s nervous system using safe, gentle, and specific adjustments. We use INSiGHT Scans, a non-invasive technology that helps us see how well your baby’s body is communicating and adapting to stress.

By restoring balance to the spine and nervous system, we often see babies nurse more comfortably, sleep more soundly, and experience fewer symptoms that were once attributed solely to tongue ties.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Parenting comes with enough uncertainty – you shouldn’t have to navigate complex health decisions without clarity and support. Whether your baby truly needs a tongue tie revision or simply needs help releasing tension in their nervous system, our goal is to give you the full picture.

By working together, we can uncover the root cause of your baby’s challenges and help your family find lasting relief — not just for feeding, but for every stage of growth ahead.