This Training is suitable for... Midwives/Health Visitors...Osteos/Chiros/IBCLCs...Birth Workers/Doulas and anyone in a position to positively influence infant outcomes.
Train to Support Families with Infant Tongue-tie
Train to Support Families with Infant Tongue-tie
The Infant Feeding Academy offers ...
Tongue-tie training programs suitable for all levels!
Master the fundamentals of infant tongue-tie with our Masterclass, or build upon the basics by developing your knowledge further with more advanced evidence-based research in our 'Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate'.
For practitioners seeking to enhance their expertise in infant feeding and tongue-tie; who understand the value of a full year’s support amongst likeminded professionals; who want to learn how to physically perform an oral assessment – and for Registered Health Professionals planning to become Frenulotomists – jump straight to the Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor Award.
Next program starts 1st January 2025
Introduction to Understanding Tongue-tie Masterclass
A masterclass setting the scene and ensuring you understand the basics of the anatomy and terminology used when discussing infant feeding and tongue-tie with new families. Instant access replay with accompanying workbook to consolidate your own learning.
(includes quiz and L-CERP Certificate).
INTRODUCTION
Supporting Families
with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate
Online learning and home study with bite-sized videos making it easy to fit around work and family commitments.
Includes Understanding Tongue-tie Masterclass, 4 workbooks to consolidate and assess your learning achievements. Scroll down to see what's included.
(includes quiz and 11 L-CERPS Certificate).
Supporting Families
with Infant Tongue-Tie Certificate
Online learning and home study with bite-sized videos making it easy to fit around work and family commitments.
Includes Understanding Tongue-tie Masterclass, 4 workbooks to consolidate and assess your learning achievements. Scroll down to see what's included.
(includes quiz and 11 L-CERPS Certificate).
FOUNDATION
Accredited
Tongue-tie Assessor Award
This Award incorporates the Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate, PLUS a full years membership to the Infant Feeding Academy, including small group mentoring, infant feeding workshops and use of a full range of resources, PLUS Accreditation and L-CERPS Certificate.
Scroll down to see what's included
Accredited
Tongue-tie Assessor Award
This Award incorporates the Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate, PLUS a full years membership to the Infant Feeding Academy, including small group mentoring, infant feeding workshops and use of a full range of resources, PLUS Accreditation and L-CERPS Certificate.
Scroll down to see what's included
ADVANCED
Lack of understanding and misdiagnosis of tongue-tie and its role in infant feeding is causing heartache for the families you serve.
All our Tongue-tie courses are taught by Dee Bell RM. IBCLC and Specialist Tongue-tie Practitioner who has been supporting nursing dyads for over twenty years
All too commonly, new parents receive conflicting advice around whether or not their baby has a tongue-tie.
The current rates of parents being informed their baby is tongue-tied when in fact they are not is very high. Many of these mother and baby dyads would benefit from more highly skilled feeding support to assist them with the issues they are experiencing, rather than their baby undergoing unnecessary surgery.
Conversely, many parents are told that their baby is NOT tongue-tied when in fact they are! Confusing, isn’t it? This is because the person looking at the baby is not experienced enough and/or lacks the relevant training in both infant feeding and tongue-tie to be making this judgment.
As a Registered Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Dee has supported thousands of families to birth and feed their babies and mentored hundreds of students to support families to do the same.
Training to become a Tongue-tie Assessor is for you if ...
- You work face-to-face with babies under one year of age
- You are passionate about supporting families with accurate and up-to-date infant feeding information
- You recognise that new families are vulnerable and you want to support them to have a more positive infant feeding journey
- You are ready to dive into exploring the rationale and research behind frenulotomy
- You are keen to expand your knowledge around tongue-tie and the potential impact on infant feeding
- You are prepared to speak up and ask for support where and when you need it, in order to improve your practice
'Understanding Tongue-tie: The Complexities of Definition and Diagnosis' is taught at three levels...
Introductory Masterclass, Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate OR the Fully Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor Award
Take a peek at our exciting and in-depth program...
The Tongue-tie Assessor Program is suitable for trained Professionals and Accredited Infant Feeding Supporters.
If you haven't got a background in infant feeding take a look at our Infant Feeding Coach™ and Tongue-tie Combined Program!
Select which option suits you best...
Training to become a Fully Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor is for you if...
- You work directly with families and babies under one year old, driven by a commitment to provide accurate, up-to-date information on infant feeding and tongue-tie. This training also suits healthcare professionals aiming to become Frenulotomists/Tongue-tie Practitioners or those already practising.
- You recognise the need for skilled assessment in tongue-tie cases and want to enhance your expertise. With both over-diagnosis and under-diagnosis common, you understand the importance of offering expert feeding support and recommending surgery only when necessary.
- You value hands-on learning and seek practical experience. This course offers the chance to work alongside experienced professionals in a clinic, observing and assessing real cases. This practical component helps you apply your knowledge under supervision, building confidence in tongue-tie assessment.
- You aim to become a trusted expert, able to guide parents through conflicting advice. This comprehensive training will equip you to make informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of infant feeding and tongue-tie, ensuring appropriate care for each mother-baby pair.
Investment for the Fully Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor Award is £1497
Fully Accredited
Tongue-tie Assessor Award Program includes
- A self-paced blended learning program with unlimited access to pre-recorded sessions and resources for the duration of the training
- Online recording of Understanding Tongue-tie Masterclass
- 7 Modules of pre-recorded tutorials to explore at your own pace
- Marked e-workbooks to accompany modules 1 - 4
- Module Quizzes
- Ongoing support in the Understanding Tongue-tie Facebook Community Group in order to collaborate with other perinatal practitioners
- 'Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate' upon successful completion of the online course assessment
- Royalty Free Infant Feeding and Tongue-tie Resources
- Access to the IFA HUB Infant Feeding and Tongue-tie resources in order to support your learning and to share with your clients
- 11 Monthly LIVE (online) Mentoring/Supervision/Q&A sessions to bring your questions and enhance your learning
- 4 reviewed case study reflections
- Face-to-face mentored day in our Infant Feeding and Tongue-tie clinic with Dee Bell, RM IBCLC
- 2 Clinic Case Studies (allocated during your mentored day)
- One full year's membership benefits with the IFA
Investment for the Fully Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor Award is £1497
Investment for the Fully Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor Award is £1497
Unable to attend the mentored day?
You can achieve the full award through our flexible learning option:
The Fully Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor Award offers a comprehensive learning experience, providing you with the knowledge and skills to excel in tongue-tie assessment. As part of the full award, students have the opportunity to attend a face-to-face mentored day in our Kent-based Infant Feeding and Tongue-tie clinic with Dee Bell, RM IBCLC and Specialist Tongue-tie Practitioner.
Mentoring day location: 46 Holden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 0ER (accommodation available on request)
However, we understand that not everyone may be able to attend the in-person mentored day. That’s why we offer the flexibility to complete the Tongue-tie Assessor Award without the mentored clinical component. Rest assured, you will still receive the same high-quality education and training, covering all aspects of the full award curriculum.
Whether you choose to attend the mentored day or complete the course entirely online, you will gain the expertise needed to effectively assess tongue-ties and provide exceptional care to infants and their families.
'Amazing clinic observation day with Dee. Perfect view of a severely restrictive tongue tie before and after a frenulotomy. And lots of knowledge on positioning and breastfeeding.'
~ Emily Dawson, Paediatric Osteopath
Unable to attend the mentored day?
You can achieve the full award through our flexible learning option:
The Fully Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor Award offers a comprehensive learning experience, providing you with the knowledge and skills to excel in tongue-tie assessment. As part of the full award, students have the opportunity to attend a face-to-face mentored day in our Kent-based Infant Feeding and Tongue-tie clinic with Dee Bell, RM IBCLC and Specialist Tongue-tie Practitioner.
Mentoring day location: 46 Holden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 0ER (accommodation available on request)
However, we understand that not everyone may be able to attend the in-person mentored day. That’s why we offer the flexibility to complete the Tongue-tie Assessor Award without the mentored clinical component. Rest assured, you will still receive the same high-quality education and training, covering all aspects of the full award curriculum.
Whether you choose to attend the mentored day or complete the course entirely online, you will gain the expertise needed to effectively assess tongue-ties and provide exceptional care to infants and their families.
The investment also includes one full year's registration with the IFA ...
From the moment you being your training with The Infant Feeding Academy you will be a registered member, this comes with a wealth of benefits, including:
- 'Monthly Mentoring Q&A', to bring all your infant feeding related questions, so that you can grow your knowledge and support your clients to a higher level
- Infant Feeding Facebook Community
- Tri-annual evening infant feeding related workshops, to deepen your knowledge of different feeding challenges and their management
- Unlimited access to the IFA HUB. Royalty free, both, infant feeding and Tongue-tie resources in order to support your learning and to share with your clients!
- Bi-annual virtual (over zoom) tongue-tie study day
- Discounted IFA Events
- Advanced Masterclasses, supporting your CPD
The Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate is for you if...
You are working with families and infants in a supporting role and you would like to gain further understanding of Infant Tongue-tie but do not require a formal accreditation.
Supporting Families with
Infant Tongue-tie Certificate includes
- A self-paced blended learning program with unlimited access to pre-recorded sessions and resources for the duration of the training
- Online recording of Understanding Tongue-tie Masterclass
- 7 Modules of pre-recorded tutorials to explore at your own pace
- E-workbooks and resource materials to accompany the modules
- Module Quizzes to consolidate your learning
- Ongoing support in the Understanding Tongue-tie Facebook Community Group in order to collaborate with other perinatal practitioners
- Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate upon successful completion of the online course assessment
Investment for the Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate is £497
'The course is full of information that I have been able to take, week on week, straight into my clinic and use. Its really well presented, interesting and transferable into a clinic setting from the outset. I can't recommend it enough and it has been a huge benefit to my Osteopathic practice and my patients are loving this new knowledge.'
‘I’d wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn more about tongue ties and infant feeding. Dee is such an experienced and competent practitioner, and any opportunity to learn from her should not be turned down!'
Course Content:
Over the duration of this course, you will cover: understanding terminology, anatomy of the frenulum, lip-tie, cleft palate awareness, family-centred and trauma informed care, types of tongue-tie and classification, the assessment process, differential diagnosis, tongue-tie and infant feeding issues, the release procedure, aftercare, oral exercises and a multidisciplinary approach/collaborative care, reattachment and re-release, future implications and examining the current research.
Case Studies:
*Accredited Assessor Award Only
Four in-depth studies of parent and infant dyads, identifying the key concerns and issues, analysing possible solutions, assessing physiology and psychology of infant feeding.
Go VIP One-to-One Mentoring Day/Practical Assessments*:
Consolidate your learning with this practical one-on-one mentoring day at the Tunbridge Wells Infant Feeding and Tongue-tie clinic. With an opportunity to practice your assessment, planning, client follow-up, and evaluation skills. Discuss and review specific cases, and observe how Dee works to solve infant feeding issues without unnecessary invasive procedures such as Frenulotomy.
'The course was incredibly useful to expand my understanding of tongue tie and how it is both appearance and function that contribute to a diagnosis of tongue tie. It was great to be signposted to research and other resources regarding the management of tongue tie and controversies involved in this. By being part of the online classes I got to meet other healthcare professionals and we had very interesting discussions. I will use my new knowledge going forwards in my paediatric practice and would really recommend it to other paediatric doctors or those involved with caring for babies and their families.!'
Hear what people are saying about our program...
Training in Frenulotomy (Tongue-tie Release Procedure)
xxxxx
Frenulotomy release training in clinic
xxx
Please ensure you read through our Frenulotomy release FAQs section below.
Not ready to take the fully accredited assessor program yet? You can get started for as little as £497 and take the assessor award at a later date.
Get started by watching the online learning materials in your own time.
This online version will deepen your knowledge and understanding of how a tongue-tie is assessed but will not allow you to provide a tongue-tie assessment service.
Why not book in a chat with Dee...
F.A.Q.
Frequently asked questions about our Tongue-tie Program:
Yes you can! You must complete the online assessments and download your personalised certificate to claim the designated CERPS.
You do not need to have any previous training to complete the ‘Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate’. However, we ask that you have completed either our Infant Feeding Coach™ Program, or similar Infant Feeding qualification to become an Accredited Tongue-tie Assessor. It is possible to complete both the Infant feeding Coach™ program and the Tongue-tie Assessor award concurrently on our combined program, please email us at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.
Yes of course! If you would like to find out if the program is a good fit for you, please email us on and request a call info@theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk
If you are a practitioner who already has infant feeding knowledge you can simply purchase the program using the ‘Sign up’ buttons above. If you are not sure if you have the relevant skills simply email at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.
There are over 12 hours of online materials to view, plus a wealth of reading materials and approximately 20 hours of self-study (although this is personal to each participant and how involved you get with reading the research materials). If you are taking the fully Accredited Assessor Award you will also be expected to undertake observations and case studies.
This is a blended learning program consisting of online lessons – containing slide presentations, videos and quizzes, as well as four assessed workbooks. The Assessor Award also includes live mentoring (over zoom) and an in person mentoring day at the Infant Feeding and Tongue-tie clinic
Laptop or tablet, printer, pens and notebooks, internet access/WiFi and a zoom account.
If you gain the full ‘Tongue-tie Assessor Award’ you will be able to assess infant tongue function using industry recognised assessment tools. If you gain the ‘Supporting Families with Infant Tongue-tie Certificate’ you will gain a better understanding of terminology, the referral process, assessment, the procedure and more – to support the families you work with, with accurate and up-to-date information. The Certificate is a self-study program, which does not include live supervion and in-person training, therefore you will not be accredited to carry out an oral assessment of an infant for tongue-tie.
No, this qualification is to become a Tongue-tie Assessor, enabling you to carry out oral assessments and infant tongue-function.
If you would like to train to become a frenulotomist please get in touch info@theinfantfeedingacademy.
You will attend the Birth, Baby & You Infant Feeding & Tongue-tie Clinic in Tunbridge Wells and observe Dee Bell throughout a clinic day, seeing and assessing 5 babies tongue function and supporting infant feeding. You will be required to follow up and submit case studies on 2 families from the clinic day. Accommodation is also available on request
We recommend you complete the Infant Feeding Coach™ program first, this to ensure you have a robust understanding of how to support infant feeding and it’s potential challenges before you start looking at tongue-function, please contact us for more information at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.
We have 6 or 12 month payment plans available so you are able to spread the payments for the program. Many of our students opt for paying by monthly installments.
Drop us an email using the form below
Frenulotomy Training:
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 MWs 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 IFC) 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.
In order to practice as a frenulotomist you need to be a Health Care Professional and to complete both theory and practical training.
You can complete your theory here with us, and arrange your own practical placement/supervsion.
We also offer full theory and practical training, but you must have your own caseload of babies for this, therefore it is ideal for NHS Trusts, looking to train/upskill their current staff, or set up a new clinic.
There are currently two NHS centres offering theoretical training – The University of Wolverhampton and Southampton General Hospital. They have a charge for their training and you have to find your own practical placement.
The University of Wolverhampton have a Level 7 (Master’s level) accredited course who will train healthcare professionals planning to divide Tonguue-tie within the NHS and/or privately.
Southampton General Hospital’s training is also for both NHS and private practitioners.
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).
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)
