Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) has launched a new pilot frenotomy service, to support babies and families experiencing feeding difficulties due to tongue-tie – a condition affecting around one in ten newborns.
The new service, being delivered by LPT’s Healthy Together infant feeding team, will provide local, dedicated and specialist care for families in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).
Tongue-tie is a condition where the strip of skin which connects a baby’s tongue to the bottom of their mouth, called the lingual frenulum, is shorter or tighter than usual. It can restrict tongue movement and make feeding difficult, which can in turn lead to poor weight gain, feeding challenges, and early end to breastfeeding – all of which can impact both a baby and parents’ health.
It is hoped the launch of the pilot service will prevent treatment delays and parents needing to turn to private providers out of necessity to get the procedure done.
The pilot is partly funded by the LLR Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Leicester City Council’s Family Hubs. It will see the new frenotomy service run weekly clinics for babies aged eight days to 18 weeks until March 2027.
Claire Hubbard, clinical lead of the infant feeding team at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “We hope this pilot will help to provide equitable access to care for families. By reducing waiting times and providing holistic support, we’re helping to improve outcomes for both babies and parents. Not only can the procedure help the baby to feed successfully and calmly, but the release of the tongue-tie can also support the mother’s emotional, mental and physical health, by helping to reduce pain, distress and improve the feeding experience.”
Following a frenotomy procedure, every family will receive post-procedure support, such as tongue exercises, breastfeeding guidance and latch improvement techniques.
To mark its launch the new frenotomy service held a celebration event at its clinic at Beaumont Leys Family Centre, where guests were able to hear stories from families who have benefited from the procedure, as well as information on other support services including the breast pump loan scheme the DadPad app, and the Healthy Together Helpline.
Patient stories
30-year-old Leicester mum, Zainab Bhana’s two children have both had tongue-tie. When Zainab’s first daughter, two-year-old Saara, was born, Zainab wasn’t able to get a tongue-tie procedure done locally for her daughter by the NHS. In the end, she had to get it done privately. When her second daughter, Maariyah was born in July 2025, Zainab realised she too had tongue-tie after the same patterns were appearing during feeds.
Zainab, who is also a breastfeeding peer supporter for Leicester Mammas, said: “I was in so much pain when feeding and I noticed Maariyah wasn’t putting on weight. It took her so long to feed and we were having to do top-up feeds with formula. I was adamant that I wanted to breastfeed as I know there are so many benefits. I knew that if I was going to continue breastfeeding Maariyah would need the procedure.
“After having an assessment with the infant feeding team, she had the procedure. I could tell the nurse who did it was really experienced, which was so comforting. The biggest difference this time was that the aftercare wasn’t disjointed. When we had it done privately it wasn’t seamless, whereas this time we got all the care information straight away and received more tailored advice and support, which made us feel a lot more reassured and confident.
“Now I am not in pain anymore and I am happier to feed whenever Maariyah needs it. We have been able to completely stop formula feeds because of the procedure, which was my goal. Maariya is also more comfortable and she is a lot calmer. Maariyah is gaining weight really well. I am so pleased we were able to use this service; it is invaluable.”
Leicestershire parents, Emily and Sam Lee, took their daughter Marnie for the procedure in September when she was just under two weeks old.
Emily said: “From day one I was struggling with a lot of pain when she was feeding, which I know can be normal at the start of a breastfeeding journey, but I also know that pain shouldn’t go on for a long period of time.
“The procedure was super quick. Literally, you could look away and it is done. Marnie cried a little bit, but she very quickly fed afterwards and there wasn’t any pain there, so that was really nice. The service was great. They explained everything to us from day one and the communication was amazing. We were given a leaflet about aftercare, exercises to do to help with her tongue movement and had a follow up appointment as well. We felt really well supported by the service.
“Marnie is now three months old and doing really well. We have managed to continue exclusively breastfeeding thanks to the frenotomy. I’m so thankful that we’ve been able to continue with our breastfeeding journey and plan to carry on for as long as we can.”
Emily’s husband, Sam added: “Initially I was a bit apprehensive as I didn’t really know what it consisted of, but it was a really quick procedure. You could see the effects on her breastfeeding straight away. It was all positive.”
Imad Ahmed, clinical lead for children and young people at the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “This pilot service is a strong example of partnership in action. By working together across organisations, we are able to ensure that babies across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland can access timely, evidence-based NHS care, without having to turn to private healthcare.
“It also strengthens our commitment to prevention and early support, helping more parents to breastfeed successfully and improving long-term outcomes for children.”
Cllr Elaine Pantling, Leicester City Council’s assistant city mayor for children and young people, said: “Our family hubs at the 12 children, young people and family centres that we have across the city are an essential source of advice and help for parents. We’re very pleased to be helping to fund this important service, which will provide the dedicated support families need, as well as helping to prevent delays in treatment.”
Referrals to the new frenotomy service can be made by the Healthy Together infant feeding team service, University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) midwives or maternity consultants. Parents can speak to their GP, Healthy Together health visitor or the Healthy Together Helpline if they are concerned about their baby’s feeding and want an assessment by the Healthy Together infant feeding team.
For more information and support around infant feeding, please visit the Health for Under 5s website: www.healthforunder5s.co.uk/ To reach the Healthy Together Helpline, please call: 0300 300 3001.