Tongue-tie
What we do
We treat babies aged eight days to 26 weeks who have a condition called tongue-tie. This means their tongue is joined to the floor of the mouth and movements are restricted, which makes it difficult for babies to breastfeed.
We carry out a small operation which releases their tongue restriction and allows them to latch on and breastfeed better.
Babies can be referred to us by an infant feeding specialist. We do not accept GP referrals, unless the feeding assessments are carried out by a breastfeeding specialist.
For details of your local infant feeding support specialist or drop-ins, please speak to your community midwives or your baby’s health visitor.
Location
First floor, Caldecot Centre, 15-22 Caldecot Road, London, SE5 9RS
Contact Details
- Main Reception: 020 3299 6550
Patient information leaflets
| Title | File Size | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue-tie division | 225 KB | |
| Tongue-tie division – active wound management factsheet | 160 KB | |
| Tube feeding by finger or breast | 526 KB |
We treat tongue-tie in infants aged eight days to 26 weeks that is causing breastfeeding difficulties.
We do not treat babies:
- who breastfeed less than 4 times in 24 hours
- who are exclusively bottle-fed
- who receive more than 50% of their daily milk requirement in formula
- who did not receive Vitamin K prophylaxis at birth, and do not provide results of a coagulation screening at the time of the referral
- to prevent future impediments, such speech or eating problems.
What is required before referring a patient
Please ensure the referral meets the following criteria:
- all sections of the referral form must be completed
- NHS or CCG referral must be filled by a healthcare professional or infant feeding specialist, such as a:
- midwife
- health visitor
- lactation consultant
- infant feeding support worker
- infant feeding specialist
- breastfeeding counsellor.
- GP or hospital consultant referrals need to be accompanied by our referral form completed in full by an infant feeding specialist.
- non-NHS referrals must be accompanied by a supporting GP referral to ensure funding for the procedure (GP surgeries can also forward the original referral to us).
- nursing parents must be supported to predominantly breastfeed, with minimal use of bottles. If supplements are needed, finger feeding or SNS should be initiated.
Booking a patient at King’s
Routine Referrals
Complete the referral form below and email it to [email protected].
Emergency Referrals
We do not offer an emergency service.
Other Queries
For referrals advice, contact the Paediatric Surgery Office, tel: 020 3299 6550
Referral forms
| Title | File Size | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue-tie Service referral form | 134 KB |
Key Clinical Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mr Anindya Niyogi | Consultant Paediatric Surgeon |