Is Tongue Tie Affecting Your Child’s Eating? What Every Parent Should Know

What Is A Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie happens when the band of tissue under the tongue (called the lingual frenulum) is too short, tight, or thick. This can make it harder for your baby or child to move their tongue freely.

While many parents hear about tongue ties in relation to speech delays, they often don’t realize how much they can affect feeding. In fact, tongue ties are a common cause of feeding difficulties in infants and young children.

If you’re in the Pensacola area and worried about your child’s feeding or speech, speech therapy in Pensacola can help you understand what’s going on and what to do next.

Why The Tongue Matters For Feeding

The tongue plays a major role in how we eat—it helps move food around the mouth, mash it with the teeth, and push it back to swallow safely. But when a tongue tie limits how well the tongue can move, these everyday actions can become difficult. For babies and young children, this can lead to feeding challenges like gagging, messy eating, or avoiding certain textures. If mealtimes feel stressful or exhausting, it may be time to look into speech therapy in Pensacola to see if a tongue tie could be part of the problem.

Signs Of Feeding Challenges

Some children with a tongue tie may have a hard time eating comfortably, even if it’s not obvious at first. You might notice signs like:

• Avoiding certain foods, especially chewy, textured, or mixed foods (like salads or soups)

• Taking a long time to finish meals

• Struggling to move food around their mouth or chew efficiently

• Gagging easily or seeming to have trouble swallowing

• Looking tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed during meals

Over time, these feeding struggles can lead to picky eating—or in some cases, a more serious feeding disorder.

Children with a tongue tie may start to avoid anything unfamiliar or hard to chew, sticking only to soft, preferred foods. This can make it harder for them to get the variety and nutrition they need for healthy growth and development.

If you’re in the Pensacola area and feeling concerned, speech therapy can help you uncover the root cause and guide your child toward more confident eating.

Tongue Ties and Your Child’s Developing Mouth

Tongue tie doesn’t just affect eating; it can also interfere with the development of oral motor skills.

Poor tongue mobility can lead to low strength and poor coordination in the muscles of the mouth and face. These are essential for efficient chewing, swallowing, and even speech development.

How Feeding Therapy Can Help

If you’re noticing signs of feeding difficulty, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with training in pediatric feeding can help. At Turning Tides Speech Therapy, we:

• Evaluate how your child uses their mouth during meals

• Identify food preferences or challenges

• Assess whether a tongue tie is present

If necessary, we’ll collaborate with other professionals, such as pediatric dentists or ENTs, to ensure your child gets comprehensive care.

When To Seek Support

While not all tongue ties require medical intervention, early evaluation and support can help prevent long-term feeding difficulties. Feeding should be a positive, nourishing experience—not a daily struggle.

If you're concerned, our team at Turning Tides Speech Therapy is here to guide and support you and your child every step of the way.