Tongue-tie and Lactation Support London

Book Your Home Visit

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

We provide specialist tongue tie assessments and divisions in the comfort of your London home. Our primary clinical days are Mondays and Fridays.

• Standard Appointments: Please use the calendar below to book your Monday or Friday slot. Deposit required.

• High Demand / Fully Booked? If our standard days are full, we occasionally open additional mid-week slots. Please contact me to be added to our priority list.

• Weekend Appointments: Available upon request for urgent cases. Please WhatsApp or Email to check availability.

• Pricing: Tongue tie assessment £200 + £100 only if a division is completed. All babies must have an assessment first. Package includes 2 hour home visit, unlimited text follow-up support, and complimentary re-assessment after 4 weeks if you think the tie has re-attached. No extra mileage fees or hidden costs. 

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

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 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.

  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.