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Pre & Post-Frenectomy CareTongue tie osteopathy
for babies
What to ExpectIf your baby has a tongue tie, or you are considering a frenectomy, it helps to look at the whole picture. Feeding issues, body tension, head preference, reflux-like symptoms, and unsettled behaviour can all overlap.
Port Fairy Osteopathy provides gentle osteopathic care for babies before and after frenectomy, with a focus on comfort, balance, and function. The aim is to support each baby’s body so they are better prepared for the procedure and better able to integrate change afterwards.
❋ Why Preparation MattersBefore frenectomy, babies may present with asymmetry, birth strain, body tension, or signs of nervous system irritation. These patterns can affect feeding and may make a tongue tie seem more significant than the mouth alone would suggest.
Preparing a baby before frenectomy may help reduce tension and improve how well they organise through the body, jaw, and feeding pattern.
❋ Post Frenectomy CareA frenectomy may allow more tongue movement, but movement alone does not guarantee good function. Babies often still need support to use that new movement well.
After the procedure, gentle cranial and biodynamic osteopathic care may help calm the nervous system, reduce residual tension, and support a return toward midline and better balance.
❋ Why Symptoms Can OverlapTongue tie symptoms can look similar to body tension symptoms. A baby may have difficulty latching, clicking, head preference, arching, unsettled behaviour, or feeding more easily on one side than the other.
That is why careful assessment matters. Dr Michelle Sherriff looks at the whole baby, not just the tongue.
❋ Oromotor SupportWhere appropriate, families may also be guided with simple oromotor exercises and feeding support. Frenectomy allows movement. Exercises help promote function.
Tongue-tie focused training & care
Dr Michelle Sherriff has completed additional postgraduate training in paediatric osteopathy, Biodynamic Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, breastfeeding support, oral function, paediatric airways, and tongue tie care. This includes further education in oromotor function, Myomunchee training, ankyloglossia, oral habilitation, and interdisciplinary airway health.
She has extensive clinical experience supporting babies and families through tongue tie assessment, pre frenectomy preparation, and post frenectomy care. Her approach focuses on the whole baby, including feeding, body tension, asymmetry, regulation, and function.
Collaborative Care
Babies often do best when care is collaborative. Tongue tie support may work best when osteopathy, feeding support, and dental or medical care are integrated through the process.
