Tongue Tie in Perth Babies, What Every New Mum Needs to Know

You’ve tried everything. Different positions, different pillows, videos on YouTube at 2am. Your baby keeps slipping off the breast, feeding takes forever, and your nipples are cracked and sore. If this sounds familiar, tongue tie could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

As a lactation consultant and registered midwife working across Perth, I see tongue tie affecting babies every single week. It’s one of the most commonly missed causes of painful breastfeeding, and one of the most fixable. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) happens when the frenulum, the small strip of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is shorter, tighter, or attached further forward than usual. This restricts how freely your baby can move their tongue.

For breastfeeding, this matters enormously. A baby needs to extend their tongue over the lower gum and create a deep seal to feed effectively. When tongue movement is restricted, they can’t latch deeply, which causes pain for you and inefficient milk transfer for them.

There are four types of tongue tie, from Type 1 (visible at the tip of the tongue) to Type 4 (a posterior or submucosal tie, which is hidden under the mucous membrane and much harder to spot without a proper assessment). Type 4 is the most commonly missed.

Signs Your Perth Baby May Have a Tongue Tie

Tongue tie can show up in different ways depending on the baby and the mother. Watch for these signs:

Signs in your baby:

• Difficulty latching, slipping off the breast repeatedly
• Clicking or sucking sounds during feeds
• Feeding for a very long time (45+ minutes) without seeming satisfied
• Poor weight gain or slow to regain birth weight
• Gassy, windy or colicky behaviour (swallowing excess air)
• A heart-shaped or notched tongue tip when crying
• Unable to stick the tongue out past the gum line

Signs in you:

• Nipple pain during or after feeding
• Cracked, blistered or misshapen nipples (lipstick-shaped after feeds)
• Recurrent blocked ducts or mastitis from poor drainage
• Low milk supply developing over time due to poor stimulation
• A general feeling that feeding ‘just isn’t right’

◆ Tracy’s Clinical Note: Many Perth mums tell me they were told by hospital staff that their baby ‘doesn’t have tongue tie’, only for a proper assessment to reveal a posterior tie. It’s important to see someone who specialises in assessing infant oral function. A visual check alone won’t find a Type 4 tie.

How Is Tongue Tie Assessed in Perth?

A proper tongue tie assessment involves more than just looking inside the mouth. An experienced IBCLC or specialist will take a full feeding history, observe a feed in real time, and conduct a digital examination (a gloved finger assessment of the tongue’s range of motion and tension). This is why a lactation consultation is often the first step, we assess the whole feeding picture, not just the anatomy.

In Perth, you have several options for tongue tie assessment:

• A private IBCLC lactation consultant (like Tracy) for a feeding-focused assessment
• A paediatric dentist or oral surgeon who specialises in frenectomy
• Your GP or maternal child health nurse (though these assessments are often less thorough for posterior ties)
• King Edward Memorial Hospital Breastfeeding Centre (public, referral may be needed)

What Happens After a Tongue Tie Is Confirmed?

If a tongue tie is confirmed and is affecting your feeding, the next step is usually a frenectomy, a simple procedure to release the tight frenulum. In Perth, this can be done by:

• A paediatric dentist using a laser (most common for private)
• An oral surgeon or ENT specialist
• Some GPs who specialise in infant oral procedures

The procedure itself takes seconds. Your baby may cry briefly but should be able to feed immediately afterwards. Many mums notice an immediate difference; for others, the improvement builds over the following days as the baby learns new movement patterns.

Crucially, the release alone isn’t always enough. Post-procedure lactation support is essential. Stretching exercises are typically recommended to prevent reattachment, and working on latch technique after the procedure helps your baby use their new tongue freedom effectively. This is where follow-up with a lactation consultant makes a genuine difference to long-term outcomes.

Will My Medicare or Private Health Cover the Cost?

Tongue tie release costs vary in Perth. Many paediatric dentists charge between $300–$500 for a laser frenectomy. Some GPs who perform the procedure bulk bill under Medicare with a referral. It’s worth calling ahead to confirm billing arrangements.

Lactation consultation visits with Tracy (see pricing) are a private fee. Some private health funds offer rebates under Extras cover — check with your fund under ‘midwifery’ or ‘lactation consultation’ categories.

When to Reach Out

Don’t wait until you’re completely defeated to ask for help. If breastfeeding is painful, your baby isn’t gaining weight well, or feeds simply don’t feel right, trust your instincts and get an assessment early. The earlier a tongue tie is identified, the easier the intervention and recovery.

I offer home visit consultations across Perth, including thorough oral assessments for tongue and lip tie. If I identify a tie, I’ll refer you to trusted Perth specialists I work with regularly, so you’re never left navigating the system alone.