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Baby tongue-tie division by fully trained and experienced practitioner
Gill Bird. Serving Hertfordshire, South Cambridgeshire, Enfield and nearby areas

What's a Tongue-Tie?

It’s a very short or tight frenulum forming a tight string under the tongue. The tongue-tie can tether the tongue to the floor of the mouth and limit its free movement. This can often contribute to feeding problems, particularly with breast feeding. Moreover, it can also cause problems with weaning and later, oral hygiene. Some tongue-tied infants will not have any feeding problems apparent and so may not require treatment. 

Tongue-tie division (Frenulotomy) is a quick, simple and safe procedure when performed on babies less than six months old. It involves swaddling the baby in a blanket, holding the baby still and cutting/releasing the tongue-tie. The baby needs to feed from the breast or bottle straight afterwards, as this stops any bleeding and comforts baby. 

It’s therefore important your baby has not fed for one hour before my visit. There may be rare instances when, using clinical judgement, I decline to carry out the procedure.  

Image to illustrate what a tongue tie looks like
Portrait of tongue tie practitioner Gill Bird for 'Who am I?' section.

My full name’s Gillian Bird, but I prefer Gill. I’m an experienced qualified midwife, trained in tongue-tie division at University Hospital Southampton. I carry out tongue-tie assessment and division in a private capacity in your own home and have insurance cover, CQC registration, ICO registration and NMC registration to permit me to do this work. I’m also a full member of the Association of Tongue-tie Practitioners and attend clinical updates. I do a high number of tongue-tie assessments and divisions, including at an NHS hospital.

I only see and treat infants under six months old. 

How much does it cost?

You can make payment by cash, credit/debit card, contactless Apple Pay or Google Pay at the end of my visit. 

I’ll send you a consent form for you just to read before my visit. It does not need signing before then. If a tongue-tie is found on examination and you decide to go ahead with the procedure the consent form is signed at that point by a parent or legal guardian.

A completed consent form and examination form is retained for my own records, but you may request a copy.

Immediately after a tongue-tie division, the baby needs to be put to the breast or bottle which settles bleeding and gives comfort. That’s why it’s so important that the baby is not fed for one hour before my visit. 

The area under the tongue will be viewed after a feed and an aftercare leaflet and sticker given for baby’s red book.  

I’ll call you seven days after my visit to check how your baby is getting on. 

This includes a full assessment and the tongue-tie division procedure itself, where appropriate.

  • Visits less than 20 miles travel     £240
  • Visits 20 miles and over                   £260

There may be an extra charge if the journey time is lengthy, involves tolls or charges, or has very limited parking availability.

The full assessment includes a feeding and medical history, and physical examination to determine if a-tongue tie is present and its type. 

  • Visits less than 20 miles travel     £140
  • Visits 20 miles and over                   £160

FAQs

No anaesthetic is used so the baby has maximum use of the tongue immediately afterwards to feed. The first feed settles bleeding. Fortunately, there are few nerve endings under the tongue, so its not thought to be very painful for the baby, maybe like a scratch. Babies generally seem to settle as soon as they feed. Babies over eight weeks of age may benefit from a dose of Calpol/liquid Paracetamol given one hour before my visit or later after the procedure.

The wound can ooze blood for longer so a piece of gauze may need to be pressed on the wound. Much nicer to have a feed, which is why your baby should be hungry before the exam/procedure. 

Theres about 2-4% chance of this happening – it’s called re-attachment. Wound massage is popular in the US and at a few UK hospitals. However, its uncomfortable for baby, invasive to do, carries a risk of infection and isn’t backed up by research to have any positive effect. Simple tongue exercises will be taught. 

Please inform your tongue-tie practitioner so that consideration can be given whether to pause appointments. Likewise, your tongue-tie practitioner will alert you if she tests positive for Covid soon after your home visit. Please tell Gill if you have any Covid-like symptoms in your household up to the time of the visit.

What do parents say?

'Very well explained before the procedure, ensuring we understood all the advantages and risks before making a decision.'
Happy parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 18/09/2025
'Gill was very calm, reassuring and took her time to answer all our questions. The procedure itself was done with the utmost care and was very quick.'
A happy mum
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 17/09/2025
'Very quick and very convenient being able to stay at home.'
A happy mum
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 02/09/2025
'Very calm and clear explanations.'
Satisfied parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 21/08/2025
'There was a lot of information and considerations before we decided on going ahead with the procedure and I feel like we where given plenty of time and breathing space and wasn’t rushed. Everything went as smoothly as possible and I felt in safe hands.'
Happy parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 05/08/2025
'Gill’s level of professionalism, knowledge and delivery was great, it reassured us and made us feel we were in a safe space to ask question and consider the procedure carefully.
Satisfied parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 30/07/2025
'Convenience of being in the home, calm environment, clear instructions on aftercare and benefits and risks to treatment, really professional.'
A happy mum
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 30/07/2025
'Gill communicated promptly with us and we were able to have the appointment within a couple of days. Gill is professional, knowledgeable and patient. She did a thorough assessment before establishing that tongue tie division procedure is appropriate, so we were confident with our decision to proceed with the procedure.'
Satisfied parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 15/07/2025
'You were very informative and caring.'
A happy mum
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 03/07/2025
'Gill was absolutely incredible, reassuring and wonderful with our little one.'
Happy parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 21/03/2025
'Gill was so calm when my baby had to have the extra gauze used to stop bleeding post procedure, and handled it so professionally!'
A happy mum
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 11/03/2025
'Gill was very professional and clearly explained the procedure and expected impact. We had to rearrange the time of the visit due to a hospital admission and she was very accommodating. It was a very good experience from start to finish. Thank you.'
A happy mum
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 08/03/2025
'Communication of process, procedure and aftercare was really good and clear.'
Satisfied parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 10/02/2025
'Gill was really helpful and knowledgeable. She discussed the procedure and answered all our questions in depth which helped clear any concerns we had and since having the procedure done, feeding have been a lot easier and more successful and our baby has a lot more movement ability with his tongue.'
Happy parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 31/01/2025
'Explanation of process really clear: actual procedure done gently and efficiently.'
Satisfied parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 26/01/2025
'Gill was wonderful. She explained the procedure clearly, allowing us to make an informed decision, and also provided clear aftercare instructions. She was thorough, efficient, and caring. We felt completely at ease having Gill in our home to carry out the tongue tie procedure on our two week old. Thank you Gill.'
A happy mum
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 25/01/2025
'Gill is a very experienced midwife and practitioner in tongue tie division. She is super calm and explains everything in advance. The procedure was fine!'
Satisfied parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 24/01/2025
'Only good things from Gill, very happy with her service given throughout the whole process. Wonderful communication and super friendly. She put us at ease and the aftercare was also fantastic!'
Satisfied parents
Submitted via Survey Monkey, 05/12/2024

More than

of parents reported baby's feeding had 'much improved' following tongue-tie division.
0 %

Up to

of parents reported that they'd seen 'some improvement' to baby's feeding following tongue-tie division.
0 %

Less than

of parents reported that they'd seen 'little to no improvement' to baby's feeding following tongue-tie division.
1 %

Contact me

07961 836227
Or send me a message using the form below and I’ll get back to you shortly.



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