TONGUE-TIE TRAINING FAQ's
The Association of Tongue-tie Practitioners does not provide training in tongue-tie division. However, we receive lots of enquiries about training so here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Who can divide tongue-ties?
NICE Guidance (2005) states: Division of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) for breastfeeding should only be performed by registered healthcare professionals who are properly trained. This stance on limiting the role to registered healthcare professionals has been supported by the Department of Health.
A registered health care professional is someone who holds a healthcare qualification and has professional registration with a regulatory body. There are 9 health and care regulators in the UK, the General Medical Council, General Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Chiropractic Council, General Optical Council, Health and Care Professionals Council, General Pharmaceutical Council and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.
But suitability and eligibility to train to do tongue-tie division does not just depend on registration with one of these regulators. The procedure of tongue-tie division (frenulotomy) has to fall within the scope of practice for the professional performing it.
In the UK most tongue-tie divisions performed on infants are carried out by doctors with relevant training and experience (usually paediatric, ENT and oral surgeons) or nurses, health visitors and midwives with specialist training infant feeding (many are IBCLCs also). Dentists with appropriate training in tongue-tie division in infants may also carry out the procedure. However, dentists in the UK have had difficulties in obtaining indemnity cover due to issues around scope of practice. International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are not registered healthcare professionals in the UK and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners have issued an advisory statement on this stating that frenulotomy would fall outside the scope of practice of an IBCLC in the UK.
Anyone wanting to train to do tongue-tie division needs to reflect on their suitability. The feeding issues that can be associated with tongue-tie are complex and division is often not an instant fix and there are often lots of other factors that have to be addressed. So it is essential that those performing this procedure have advanced breastfeeding skills (preferably IBCLC) or work alongside someone with advanced breastfeeding skills. UNICEF Baby Friendly courses are basic level, not advanced level. The course is for health professionals who are in direct contact with families and UNICEF state:
". . . Completion of this course does not equate to a formal qualification in infant feeding support."
More information on advanced training in breastfeeding is available at these links:
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
Lactation Consultants of Great Britain
The charities below offer advanced training (at breastfeeding counsellor level) to those who have personal experience of breastfeeding and can commit to giving their time in a volunteer capacity supporting other mothers in a breastfeeding counsellor role. The exception is the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers who also offer an advanced course to healthcare professionals without the requirement to have personal experience or work as a volunteer.
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
Additionally, anyone providing tongue-tie division needs skills and experience in tongue-tie assessment using evidence based tools and needs training and experience in infection control, aseptic technique, managing bleeding and other complications, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Some babies and families present with complex medical histories and the implications of these need to be fully understood in order to adequately risk assess and decide whether proceeding with the procedure is safe or not. Therefore significant medical knowledge and experience is required.
Where can I train to do tongue-tie division?
There are currently three NHS centres offering training in division at the University of Wolverhampton, University of Hull and Southampton General Hospital.
The University of Wolverhampton and The University of Hull have a Level 7 (Master’s level) accredited course who will train healthcare professionals planning to divide in the NHS and private practitioners. They have a charge for their training.
Southampton General Hospital’s training is also for both NHS and private practitioners.
Russell Hall Hospital, Dudley work with Wolverhampton university to deliver and train those planning to divide in the NHS and who have agreement from their managers.
Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Contact: N.Bowen@wlv.ac.uk 01902 518862
University of Hull
Frenulotomy CPD module level 7
https://www.hull.ac.uk/study/cpd/modules/frenulotomy
Please contact module leader Louise Lewis 01482 463103
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton General Hospital Contact Erin Winteridge
02381 206677 or 07407 722892
Health Professional Training in Frenulotomy by Dee Bell RM, IBCLC and Specialist Tongue-tie Practitioner
Dee Bell provides comprehensive training for registered healthcare professionals in performing frenulotomy (tongue-tie release procedure). This includes both in-depth theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical instruction, ensuring participants are fully prepared to carry out the procedure safely and effectively.
To be eligible, professionals must have completed accredited theoretical study in infant feeding and tongue-tie. This training is available through The Infant Feeding Academy, although equivalent accredited programmes from other organisations are also accepted. If you're unsure whether your previous training meets the requirements, please contact us to discuss.
Dee is available to deliver training within NHS Trusts or to teams and individuals working in private practice who have their own clinical caseloads.
For more information, visit www.theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk or contact us at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk.
Other Training Courses
Training in tongue-tie assessment and other related topics is available from the providers listed below. All enquiries should be directed to the provider, not The Association of Tongue-tie Practitioners.
Sarah Oakley Registered Nurse , Registered Health Visitor, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Tongue-tie Practitioner provides regular study days in Cambridgeshire and will travel to provide training too.
See http://sarahoakleylactation.co.uk/training-courses/
Tongue-tie and Infant feeding online course by Sarah Oakley
This course, which is available online and on demand and takes around 10 hours to complete, is suitable for professionals who divide tongue-tie and want to do an update, and for those involved in assessing and/or supporting families with tongue-tied infants including: Midwives, Health Visitors, IBCLCs, Breastfeeding Counsellors and Peer Supporters, GPs and other medical professionals, Dentists, Speech Therapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Cranial Sacral Therapists, Doulas and Maternity Nurses. The content has also been used to prepare practitioners who are training to divide tongue-ties.
There are five modules and includes a mix of text, videos and quizzes.
- Module one looks at tongue-tie anatomy and potential causes of tongue-tie.
- Module two covers how tongue-tie can impact feeding and tongue-tie assessment.
- Module three explores how tongue-tie is treated and and the evidence base behind this.
- Module four focuses on supporting families in accessing diagnosis and treatment and strategies to support babies with tongue-tie to feed better pre and post division.
- The final module looks at myths and controversies including disruptive wound management, speech issues, dental issues and concerns about airway and sleep disorders.
There is an opportunity as part of this course to attend my tongue-tie and feeding clinic near Cambridge for a day to observe and learn so you can link the theory with this course to practice. You will also be given access to a Facebook group for sharing ideas and information, asking me questions, discussion of cases you may be seeing and so on.
The course includes a mix of text, videos and quizzes.
It has been awarded 10 L CERPS.
Booking and more information see: https://sarahoakleylactation.co.uk/courses/tongue-tie-and-infant-feeding-on-line-course/
Tongue-tie Assessor Award: Comprehensive Training in Infant Feeding Tongue-tie Assessment and Support by Dee Bell RM, IBCLC, Specialist Tongue-tie Practitioner
Designed for professionals working with babies under one year, the Tongue-tie Assessor Award combines flexible online learning with robust clinical assessment, case-based mentorship and direct, face-to-face support. This is the ideal next step for those looking to elevate their practice and work as a recognised assessor in both NHS and private settings. Dee is also available to travel to NHS Trusts or to train practitioners in private practice with an existing caseload.
Your enrolment also includes a full year’s support within The Infant Feeding Academy, providing exclusive access to our thriving community of infant feeding practitioners, ongoing CPD resources, and peer-supported learning through our dedicated IFA Hub.
Why choose The Infant Feeding Academy? Unlike basic theory-only courses, our training is structured, clinically grounded, and includes real-time monthly supervision and mentoring. You’ll be learning from Dee Bell, a Registered Midwife and IBCLC with years of hands-on experience who’s supported thousands of families and trained hundreds of professionals.
We don’t just give you information — we teach you how to apply it with confidence.
What’s included:
- 7 on-demand training modules
- Assessed reflective workbooks (Modules 1–4)
- Module quizzes to consolidate learning
- Access to a full library of royalty-free resources for use with clients
- Membership to the IFA Hub for continued support and learning
- 11 live online group mentoring and supervision sessions
- 4 reviewed case study reflections
- 2 clinic-based case studies
- One in-person mentored clinic day
- Full accreditation and certificate awarding L-Cerps
Learn more: www.theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk/tongue-tie-assessor
Questions? Email us at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk
Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie– Certificate Level by Dee Bell RM, IBCLC, Specialist Tongue-tie Practitioner
A fully online, self-paced course offering a strong foundation in tongue-tie support, ideal for professionals ready to
deepen their understanding.
Course includes:
- Introductory Masterclass
- Bite-sized training videos
- 4 reflective e-workbooks
- End-of-module quizzes
- 11 L-CERPs
- Private Facebook community for ongoing support
Learn more: www.theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk/tongue-tie-assessor
Questions? Email us at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk
Introduction to Understanding Tongue-tie Masterclass by Dee Bell RM, IBCLC, Specialist Tongue-tie Practitioner
Perfect if you're just starting out or need a refresh on core concepts. Covers anatomy, terminology and key feeding challenges.
- Instant access
- Workbook and quiz
- L-CERP certificate
Learn more: www.theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk/tongue-tie-assessor
Questions? Email us at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk
CQC (England), HIS (Scotland), JCC (Jersey) & R&QIA (N.Ireland)
- Private practitioners in England are legally required to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC; www.cqc.org.uk).
- Scottish frenulotomy providers are regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS;www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org).
- Jersey Care Comission regulates medical services within Jersey (JCC; www.carecommission.je).
- The Regulation & Quality Improvement Authority regulates our Northern Irish providers (R&QIA; www.rqia.org.uk).
- Currently, Welsh providers do not have to register with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW).
