I want to share something I’ve seen with many families — and even in my own journey — that doesn’t always get talked about enough: lip tie and tongue tie.
You know that little piece of skin under your tongue or between your lip and gums? If it’s too short, thick, or tight, it can actually make it hard for our kids to move their lips and tongue the way they need to.
Why It Matters for Speech
Speech is all about movement — the tongue and lips working together to make sounds.
When there’s a tie:
- Sounds like t, d, l, r, s, z can be harder.
- Kids may have trouble with lip sounds like p, b, m.
- Blowing bubbles, licking lips, or moving the tongue side to side can be tricky.
And yes, over time, this can lead to speech delays or unclear speech.
Other Signs You Might Notice
- Trouble breastfeeding or bottle feeding as a baby
- Slow weight gain in infancy
- Drooling more than other kids their age
- Food getting stuck on teeth because the tongue can’t reach
- Gaps between the front teeth (especially with lip tie)
What You Can Do
If your gut tells you something’s off, trust it. Talk to your pediatrician, pediatric dentist, or a speech therapist who understands ties.
Sometimes a simple procedure called a frenectomy can release the tie, followed by speech therapy or oral motor exercises to help the tongue and lips move the right way.
💬 From one parent to another: Not every speech delay is caused by a tie, but if there’s even a chance it’s part of the problem, getting it checked early can make a big difference.
💌 I share more tips and resources for parents like us over at HirahCares.org — come join our community.
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