Frenectomy for Lip Tie, Tongue Tie & Infant Circumcision for Marietta, GA Families

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the lingual frenulum beneath the tongue is too short or too tight, restricting the tongue’s full range of motion. In newborns, the most common signs include: difficulty achieving or maintaining a latch, clicking sounds during nursing, milk leaking from the corners of the mouth, prolonged feeding sessions, slow or poor weight gain, excessive gassiness or reflux, and nipple pain or damage for the breastfeeding mother. If you notice any of these signs in your baby, we recommend scheduling an evaluation at Gentle Beginnings Clinic. Many families from Marietta and East Cobb visit us specifically because tongue tie symptoms are so often misattributed to other causes.

Yes. A lip tie prevents the upper lip from flaring outward during nursing, which forces the baby into a shallow latch. This shallow latch causes nipple pain, reduces milk transfer efficiency, and often leads to increased air intake resulting in gas, colic symptoms, and frequent spit-up. Lip tie and tongue tie frequently occur together, and the combined effect on feeding can be significant. At Gentle Beginnings, we evaluate both the labial and lingual frenulum in every oral examination, so no contributing restriction goes unaddressed.

Both laser tongue tie release and the scissor technique are safe, effective methods for frenectomy in infants, and the right choice depends on your baby’s specific anatomy, age, and the nature of the restriction. Laser tongue tie surgery uses a precise beam of light energy to divide the frenulum with minimal bleeding and a faster tissue healing response. The scissor technique is equally reliable and remains the gold standard for many newborns, particularly in the first few weeks of life when tissue is thin and healing is rapid. During your consultation, Farrah Patti will evaluate your baby’s frenulum and explain which technique is most appropriate and why. Adults seeking tongue tie release are also seen at our clinic and typically benefit from a thorough functional assessment before any procedure.

The ideal time to address tongue tie or lip tie is as early as possible, ideally within the first 4 to 8 weeks of life, while breastfeeding patterns are still being established. Early intervention minimizes disruption to the feeding relationship and reduces the compensatory habits (such as incorrect tongue positioning) that develop when restrictions go untreated. That said, treatment can be effective at any age. If your baby is struggling to feed, gaining weight slowly, or causing you significant pain during nursing, do not wait for a hospital follow-up. Gentle Beginnings Clinic serves families in Marietta and Cobb County with same-day appointments, so help is available quickly when your family needs it.

Most infants heal fully within 7 to 14 days following circumcision. In the first few days, you will notice some swelling, redness, and a small amount of yellow discharge around the glans, this is a normal part of the healing process, not a sign of infection. We provide every family with detailed written circumcision care instructions at discharge, covering how to clean the area, how to apply petroleum jelly, what is normal at each stage of healing, and specific signs that warrant a call to our clinic. You also have access to our 24-hour contact line and a complimentary 2-week follow-up appointment to confirm everything is healing as expected. Caring for a circumcised newborn is straightforward with the right guidance, and we make sure you feel fully confident before you leave.

Mild penile adhesions after circumcision often resolve naturally with consistent application of petroleum jelly and gentle retraction during diaper changes in the first months of life. However, more significant adhesions, particularly skin bridges, which are bands of scar tissue connecting the shaft to the glans, do not resolve on their own and benefit from clinical evaluation and treatment. If you are concerned about the appearance of your son’s circumcision, notice restricted retraction, or were told at a pediatric visit that adhesions are present, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Gentle Beginnings Clinic. We will assess whether intervention is needed and, if so, perform treatment gently and safely in our private suite.