Wondering if a tongue-tie could be contributing to your baby’s colic? Learn how feeding dysfunction, tongue-ties, and lip-ties may be connected to excessive crying, gas, and reflux-like symptoms.
Few things are more exhausting for new parents than a baby who seems uncomfortable all the time.
If you have been searching for baby colic treatments, you may have already tried everything you can think of. Gas drops, bicycle legs, probiotics, formula changes, eliminating foods from your diet, reflux medications, special bottles – the list can feel endless.
For some babies, these approaches help. For others, the crying continues.
At Alabama Tongue-Tie Center, we frequently meet families who have spent weeks or months trying to find answers before anyone takes a close look at how their baby is actually feeding.
In our experience, a surprisingly large percentage of babies referred to us for colic, excessive gas, reflux-like symptoms, poor sleep, or inconsolable crying have an undiagnosed tongue-tie or lip-tie affecting feeding function.
While not every colicky baby has a tongue-tie, we believe feeding dysfunction is one of the most overlooked contributors to symptoms commonly labeled as colic.
What Causes Colic in Babies?
Parents often ask, “What causes colic in babies?”
The truth is that colic is not a specific diagnosis. It is a description of symptoms.
Traditionally, colic refers to:
- Excessive crying
- Fussiness that is difficult to console
- Episodes that often occur at predictable times
- Symptoms lasting for hours at a time
Many explanations have been proposed over the years, including:
- Digestive immaturity
- Food sensitivities
- Reflux
- Gas
- Overstimulation
- Developing nervous systems
While all of these may play a role in some infants, one factor is often overlooked: feeding dysfunction.
If a baby is struggling during every feeding, it should not be surprising that the baby may also be uncomfortable between feedings.
Can Tongue-Tie Cause Colic?
One of the most common questions we hear is: Can tongue-tie cause colic?
In our experience, the answer is often yes.
Many babies who are labeled as “colicky” are never properly evaluated for tongue-ties or lip-ties.
One reason is that tongue-ties are not routinely checked during many newborn examinations. Another reason is that many healthcare providers receive little formal education about tongue-ties, feeding mechanics, oral function, or posterior tongue-ties during their training.
When most parents think of a tongue-tie, they imagine a thin band of tissue attached near the tip of the tongue.
Those tongue-ties certainly exist, but many babies actually have posterior tongue-ties that are much harder to identify. These restrictions are often hidden beneath the mucosa and may not be obvious without specific training and experience.
As a result, many babies with feeding dysfunction are told they simply have colic, reflux, or a sensitive stomach.
Why Tongue-Ties Can Make Babies So Uncomfortable
Feeding should be efficient and relatively comfortable.
When babies cannot move their tongue effectively, they often struggle to maintain suction during feeding.
This can lead to:
- Swallowing excessive air
- Repeated loss of suction
- Longer feeding sessions
- Frustration during feeds
- Increased work while feeding
- Poor milk transfer
Parents frequently notice:
- Excessive gas
- Frequent burping
- Reflux-like symptoms
- Arching during feeds
- Fussiness after feeding
- Poor sleep
- Constant hunger cues
For many babies, the issue is not simply digestion. The issue begins with how they are feeding.
The Importance of a Clicking Sound During Breastfeeding
One symptom we hear about almost every day is a clicking sound during breastfeeding.
Parents may describe:
- Clicking noises
- Smacking sounds
- Popping sounds
- Frequent unlatching
These sounds often indicate that a baby is repeatedly losing suction during feeding.
Every time suction breaks, additional air may be swallowed.
That extra air can contribute to:
- Gas
- Abdominal discomfort
- Spitting up
- Reflux symptoms
- Fussiness
A clicking sound during breastfeeding does not automatically mean a tongue-tie is present. However, it is one of the most common symptoms we hear from families whose babies are struggling with oral restrictions.
Why Bodywork Can Be Helpful
One thing we have learned after treating thousands of infants is that feeding problems are rarely caused by a single factor.
Many babies with tongue-ties also have tension patterns involving the head, neck, jaw, shoulders, or body.
These patterns may develop before birth, during delivery, or as babies learn to compensate for restricted tongue movement.
This is one reason we often recommend collaboration with:
- Pediatric chiropractors
- Pediatric physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Lactation consultants
Gentle bodywork may help improve:
- Neck mobility
- Jaw movement
- Feeding coordination
- Overall comfort
Some of the best outcomes we see occur when tongue-tie treatment is combined with feeding support and bodywork rather than viewing the procedure as a stand-alone solution.
Baby Colic Treatments That May Actually Address the Root Cause
Many traditional baby colic treatments focus on managing symptoms.
Those approaches can be helpful, but if feeding dysfunction is contributing to the problem, the underlying issue may still remain.
When appropriate, treatment may include:
Feeding Evaluation
A thorough feeding evaluation can identify problems that may not be obvious during routine medical visits.
Lactation Support
An experienced lactation consultant can often identify latch and feeding issues that contribute to symptoms.
Bodywork
Physical therapy, chiropractic care, or other forms of infant bodywork may improve mobility and feeding mechanics.
Tongue-Tie Treatment
When oral restrictions are affecting function, treatment may help improve:
- Feeding efficiency
- Milk transfer
- Latch quality
- Air swallowing
- Gas
- Overall comfort
Although every baby is different, it is common for parents to tell us that their baby seems happier, more comfortable, less gassy, and easier to soothe after oral restrictions are addressed.
When Should Parents Seek Help?
Consider a feeding or tongue-tie evaluation if your baby has:
- Persistent colic symptoms
- Excessive gas
- Reflux-like symptoms
- A clicking sound during breastfeeding
- Poor latch
- Long feeding sessions
- Maternal nipple pain
- Difficulty gaining weight
- Constant fussiness
You are not overreacting by asking questions.
In many cases, parents know something is wrong long before anyone identifies the underlying cause.
We would be honored to care for your family. Just call 205-419-4333 or Send us a Message and we can evaluate the symptoms and the baby to determine if a lip or tongue-tie release would be helpful.
Looking for Answers Beyond “It’s Just Colic”?
Many of the families we meet have already tried multiple colic treatments before coming to our office. They are exhausted, frustrated, and often beginning to wonder whether things will ever improve.
If your baby struggles with excessive crying, gas, reflux-like symptoms, feeding difficulties, or a clicking sound during breastfeeding, it may be worth taking a closer look at oral function.
At Alabama Tongue-Tie Center, we help families throughout Alabama and from around the world evaluate tongue-ties, lip-ties, and feeding concerns every day.
To schedule a consultation, call 205-419-4333 or send us a message through our contact page. We would be happy to help determine whether a tongue-tie or lip-tie could be contributing to your baby’s symptoms and discuss treatment options that may help your family find relief.
FAQs
01. Can tongue-tie cause excessive crying?
Yes. Feeding dysfunction associated with tongue-ties may contribute to gas, discomfort, reflux-like symptoms, and excessive fussiness or “colic.”
02. Do all colicky babies have tongue-ties?
No. However, in our experience, tongue-ties and lip-ties are often overlooked contributors to symptoms commonly labeled as colic.
03. Can bodywork help babies with tongue-ties?
Many babies benefit from physical therapy, chiropractic care, occupational therapy, or lactation support as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
04. Can tongue-tie treatment improve colic symptoms?
Many families report significant improvements in feeding, comfort, gas, sleep, and overall fussiness after treatment when feeding dysfunction is contributing to the problem.
Something Doesn’t Feel Right?
