Can Baby Tongue Tie Cause Reflux and Gas? What Every Parent Should Know
At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, one of the most common questions we receive from concerned parents is:
“Can my baby’s tongue tie be causing acid reflux or gas?”
Feeding challenges, constant gassiness, and signs of reflux in newborns can be incredibly distressing. The good news is that tongue tie could be part of the answer, and it's something we can assess and treat.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the strip of tissue under your baby’s tongue (called the lingual frenulum) is too tight, thick, or short. This restricts tongue movement and often interferes with a baby’s ability to feed effectively—whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
How Tongue Tie Can Lead to Reflux and Gas
While tongue tie doesn’t directly cause acid reflux or colic, it can play a major role in triggering or worsening these symptoms. Here's how:
Inefficient latch: A baby with a tongue tie may struggle to form a proper seal at the breast or bottle, leading to air swallowing during feeds.
Swallowed air (aerophagia): That air can become trapped in the baby’s digestive tract, causing gassiness, burping, bloating, and discomfort.
Increased reflux episodes: Excessive air in the stomach can push milk back up, mimicking or contributing to infant acid reflux (GERD).
Frequent, short feeds: Poor milk transfer can result in your baby feeding often but never feeling satisfied—further aggravating their digestion.
Common Symptoms We See in Babies with Tongue Tie and Reflux
Parents often report:
Clicking or smacking noises during feeds
Milk leaking from the sides of the mouth
Fussiness at the breast or bottle
Gassy or bloated tummy
Excessive burping, spitting up, or vomiting
Arching of the back during or after feeds
Shallow latch or early fatigue during nursing
Persistent colic-like symptoms
If these sound familiar, your baby may benefit from a tongue tie assessment.
What Can Be Done?
At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we are experienced in infant oral restrictions, we offer comprehensive evaluations and treatment for tongue ties in newborns and infants. Here’s what we recommend:
Book a professional assessment: Not all tongue ties are visible to the untrained eye. We use gentle, thorough assessments to check for both anterior and posterior tongue ties.
Consider a tongue tie release (frenectomy): If a tongue tie is confirmed, a quick and safe procedure can release the restriction. Many parents report improvement in feeding, reflux, and gas within days.
When to Seek Help
If your baby is showing signs of reflux, gas, or feeding difficulties—and you suspect a tongue tie—early intervention is key. Left untreated, tongue ties can affect not only digestion but also speech, breathing, and oral development as your child grows.
Book a Tongue Tie Consultation Today!
At [Your Clinic Name], we’re here to help you get answers and relief. Our gentle, baby-friendly approach to tongue tie treatment is designed to improve feeding, comfort, and overall quality of life—for both you and your baby.
📞 Call us at 9558 8988
📍 Visit our clinic in Shop G01A, 570 New Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park, NSW 2193
📅 Or book online at https://calendly.com/painfreedentistsydney
Because when your baby feels better, so do you.