Tongue-tie Postnatal Care and Lactation Support London

Booking Your Home Visit

We understand that NHS tongue-tie referral wait times can be stressful for new parents. That’s why I offer private, professional care in the sanctuary of your own home, often within 48 to 72 hours, to ensure your feeding journey gets back on track without the wait.

Standard Appointments Please use the calendar below to secure your consultation or contact me directly. To secure your home visit, a small deposit is taken at the time of booking. This is, of course, fully deducted from the total cost of your care on the day.

Urgent & Weekend Support If my standard days are full, I occasionally open additional mid-week slots. Weekend availability is also available upon request for urgent cases. If you cannot find a time that works, please contact me to discuss.

Feeding & Tongue-Tie Support

Specialist Assessment & Feeding Support — £200 The foundation of every journey. This unhurried 2-hour home visit is for families navigating suspected tongue-tie or complex feeding challenges. We spend time with your birth story, a whole-body assessment of oral function, and a gentle plan of exercises and positioning support. If we decide together that a clinical procedure is not required, this is the only fee you pay.

Pathway 1 — +£90 Assessment + Division. If a division (frenulotomy) is indicated and performed during our visit, the total fee is £290. This includes the full specialist assessment, the procedure to hospital standards, and a dedicated plan for recovery.

Pathway 2 — +£150 Two visits for extra support (total £350). Best for families who wish to prioritise oral exercises and bodywork to improve function before deciding on a division or who want extra feeding support. This includes your initial specialist assessment and feeding plan, followed by a second home visit for the division and ongoing feeding support.

All Tongue-Tie Care Includes:

• Unlimited text and phone follow-up for peace of mind.

• A free clinical re-assessment after 30 days if you have concerns about re-attachment.

• Transparent pricing: No hidden travel, parking, or congestion charges, ever.

Standalone Feeding Support

Breastfeeding & Lactation Support — £170 For families seeking dedicated guidance without a tongue-tie assessment. We focus entirely on positioning, latching comfort, and building your confidence.

Home Visits Feeding support belongs in your home, not a clinical office. By observing your baby in their own space, we can create a sustainable plan that works for your daily life. Skip the stressful tube journeys with a hungry baby.

Read more about what to expect at your appointment here or see common questions below. For all other services please contact me to book.

About Your Midwife

Your baby’s feeding journey is in safe, professional hands. I am a Specialist Tongue Tie Practitioner and NMC Registered Midwife (PIN 20C1917E), providing expert clinical care across London.

• CQC Registered: Clinical services provided via The Natal Network, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care.

• ATP Member: An active member of the Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners (ATP), following the latest evidence-based UK guidelines.

• Lactation Specialist: IBCLC in training, supporting families in their own environment, primarily across North London and Greater London.

• Fully Insured: Specialist indemnity insurance via Westminster Insurance for frenulotomy and postnatal care coverage through the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

Anika Riesen, Midwife and tongue tie practitioner

Common Tongue-Tie FAQ

Which babies can have a tongue tie division?

Assessment and division are generally suitable for most babies, including babies that have not had vitamin K. However, I do not perform divisions for:

• Lip ties.

• Babies over 12 months of age.

• Babies with a known bleeding disorder or a family history of bleeding (clotting) disorders.

• Babies with a known heart condition.

By booking an appointment, you confirm that none of these exclusions apply. If any of these conditions are present at the appointment, only a feeding and tongue-tie assessment will be conducted, and a division will not be possible.

How is a tongue-tie assessed and treated?

The Assessment: A professional assessment involves more than a quick look. It includes a full history of your feeding experience and a gentle physical examination. Using a gloved finger, I will feel how the tongue moves, lifts, and stretches. Not all babies require a division on the first appointment, sometimes conservative measures are more appropriate and many parents take their baby to an osteopath or chiropractor to release body tension first. I will also show you oral and body exercises to help release tight oral tissues in your baby.

The Procedure (Frenotomy): If a division is necessary, the procedure is quick and safe.

• The Process: The restrictive tissue is carefully divided using sterile, specialised scissors. The entire process takes only a few seconds.

• Pain Relief: For babies under 12 months, the area has very few nerve endings, so anesthesia is not required. Most babies are comforted immediately by a feed right after the procedure. Babies over 8 weeks can have Calpol.

What are the risks involved?

While tongue-tie division is a routine procedure, all surgical interventions carry minor risks:

• Bleeding: Significant bleeding is rare (approx. 1 in 3,000–5,000).

• Infection: Extremely rare (approx. 1 in 10,000).

• Reattachment: In roughly 2–4% of cases, the tissue may heal back together incorrectly, which may require a second procedure.

  Will it help with feeding immediately?

  Every baby is different. Some show an immediate improvement in their latch, while others need time to "re-learn" how to use their tongue. Think of it like a physical therapy recovery; the muscles need to gain strength and coordination. Consistent aftercare exercises and feeding support are key to long-term success.

  Why consider a private practitioner?

  Many families choose private care to avoid long NHS waiting lists during a time when every feed is a struggle. Private appointments generally offer:

  • More Time: Longer consultations to address positioning and latch in detail.

  • Comfort: The ability to have the assessment in your own home.

  • Ongoing Support: Direct access to your practitioner for follow-up questions and reassessments.

  • I provide these specialist home visits across North London, including Hampstead, Barnet, and Islington

  Read more about what to expect during your appointment and aftercare.

Common Myths & Misconceptions

• "My baby is gaining weight, so it can't be a tongue-tie."

  • This is a common misconception. Many babies gain weight by working twice as hard, but this often leads to maternal pain, early weaning, or extreme infant exhaustion.

• "It will cause speech delays.”

  • There is no strong evidence that it causes a delay in when a child starts speaking or other speech difficulties.

• Will you see babies over 6 weeks old?

  • Yes, I can assess and complete divisions on babies up to 12 months old.

• Will you see bottle feeding babies?

  • Yes, I can see babies who are exclusively bottle fed (formula or expressed breast milk).

• Will you see my baby even if he or she is gaining weight?

  • Yes, even with good weight gain, a tongue tie may still be present and contribute to other symptoms.

• Can you see my baby if I chose not to have Vitamin K at birth?

  • Yes, as long as there is no family history of a bleeding disorder. A comprehensive discussion about potential bleeding risks will be conducted.

• Read more about tongue tie myths.