Is It More Than Reflux? Why Your Baby’s Fussiness Might Be Tongue Tie

If your baby is crying excessively, arching during feeds, spitting up frequently, or constantly seems unsettled, the first assumption many pediatricians make is infant reflux. While acid reflux is common, it’s also one of the most frequently over-diagnosed conditions in infants, especially when the real culprit may be something less obvious but highly treatable: tongue tie.

At the NYC Tongue Tie Center, under the expert care of Dr. Gregory Levitin, MD, FACS, we help parents uncover the root cause of persistent feeding issues, poor weight gain, and chronic fussiness. Often, what presents as reflux may actually be the downstream effect of a restrictive lingual frenulum, also known as tongue tie.

What Is Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition present at birth where a short, thick, or tight band of tissue (the lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This restricts tongue movement, which is essential for proper breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and later, speech and oral development.

According to the National Institutes of Health, tongue tie affects between 4–11% of newborns, though many cases go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness in general pediatric care.

How Tongue Tie Mimics Reflux

Babies with tongue tie often struggle to latch effectively, leading to excessive air intake, gulping, and incomplete drainage of the breast or bottle. This inefficient feeding can result in:

• Excessive spit-up or “reflux-like” symptoms
• Gas, colic, and abdominal discomfort
• Frequent hiccups or burping
• Back-arching and crying during feeds
• Interrupted or very long feeding sessions
• Poor weight gain or failure to thrive

Because these symptoms resemble gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), many infants are prescribed acid-suppressing medications without addressing the root problem. Unfortunately, these medications can cause side effects and rarely resolve feeding difficulties if tongue tie is the actual issue.

Why Expertise Matters

Dr. Gregory Levitin is a board-certified Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon and Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). With decades of experience treating airway, oral, and feeding disorders, Dr. Levitin brings unmatched precision to diagnosing and treating tongue tie in newborns and infants.

As an Assistant Clinical Professor at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, he combines academic insight with real-world experience, offering patients and families in Manhattan (Columbus Circle) and Brooklyn (Williamsburg) access to cutting-edge care in a compassionate environment.

Gentle, Effective Treatment Options

At NYC Tongue Tie Center, we perform suture-free and laser-free frenectomy, a fast, minimally invasive procedure that releases the tongue’s restriction. It takes only minutes and is typically done in-office without general anesthesia. Most infants feed more effectively immediately after the procedure, and parents often notice less fussiness and better sleep within days.

Clinical research shows that babies treated for tongue tie experience:

• Better latch and milk transfer
• Reduced maternal nipple pain
• Improved weight gain
• Less gas, colic, and reflux-like symptoms

Don’t Settle for a Misdiagnosis

If your baby has been labeled as having reflux but isn’t improving—or if you’re frustrated with ongoing feeding challenges—a tongue tie evaluation could change everything.

Dr. Levitin and the NYC Tongue Tie Center team specialize in recognizing subtle signs of oral restriction and providing the targeted care your child needs to thrive.

Schedule a consultation at our Manhattan or Williamsburg office today and discover if tongue tie is the real reason behind your baby’s discomfort. Early intervention can make all the difference for your baby’s development and your peace of mind.