One of the most common questions I'm asked, but the most complex to answer, is how do I check for ties, and how can I help resolve struggles caused by them?
Often, concerned parents have done a fair bit of research online before seeing me so they've got some background on the struggles facing children with tongue and lip ties. Finding a provider who has sought out specialized training on ties and the myriad problems that a tongue tie can present in an infant or child is difficult to find. Finding one that can provide a revision of the tongue tie, support a family through a brief habilitation period afterwards and also provide the bodywork necessary to support the child in a full recovery of tongue tie related symptoms is virtually unheard of. For this reason, a child with ties will be best served by a team of providers, each of whom specializes in one particular area in which your baby needs.
A typical experience for the family experiencing difficulties that they suspect may be attributed to tethered oral tissues generally begins with breastfeeding struggles. Some, but not all, babies with tethered oral tissues will have trouble transferring milk from the breasts. Trouble with milk transfer can sometimes look like a sleepy baby that's difficult to keep awake, or other times it can look like prolonged feeding sessions (30 minutes or more). Other times there's a quiver in the chin after a nursing session. This struggle can lead to low milk supply in the mother, low weight gain (or good initial weight gain followed by a plateau or slowed gain after 6-8 weeks of age), sleep disruption, and colicky behaviors. In a mother with a very active letdown and bountiful supply, the baby may simply have a shallow latch that doesn't cause her any pain, and may grow as expected (or beyond expectations) and the pediatrician may say that there's nothing wrong since growth is good!
The skilled lactation support professional will be well versed in the normal function of the tongue as an organ, and know how to remedy any deficiencies found in the tongue due to tethered oral tissues (TOTs). I conduct a full assessment by my own method created as a result of extensive lectures and/or one on one training under a number of world-renowned industry professionals, who have authored peer-reviewed diagnostic tools for TOTs. Incorporating all of the diagnostic points raised in the various sets of diagnostic criteria for tongue tie (there are several methods depending on the healthcare provider administering the assessment) to ensure the most comprehensive oral exam and assessment of tongue and suck function your baby has had to date.
As the LC, I am also in the best position to refer to the necessary providers (such as a pediatric dentist, craniosacral therapist, and/or myofunctional therapist) to remedy any deficiencies noted in your baby's tongue function as a result of tethered oral tissues. I am also qualified to teach you some oral exercises you can do with your baby to increase tongue function and strength so you can move forward with your lives together. I work very closely with Dr. Michelle Pietrantone, local chiropractor and craniosacral therapist, to ensure a holistic level of continuous care for your child.
Beyond the initial assessment and referrals, the tie-savvy lactation provider acts as the primary point of contact for the family as they monitor the treatments received for efficacy and assess tongue and suck function on an ongoing basis to ensure that treatments are proceeding as expected. Additionally, the LC will assist in the resolution of any issues which arose with regard to the breastfeeding relationship of a mother and baby that have experienced struggles in these areas along the way, including but not limited to flow preference to bottles (also called nipple confusion), low milk supply, low muscle tone in the tongue and face, etc.).
Often, concerned parents have done a fair bit of research online before seeing me so they've got some background on the struggles facing children with tongue and lip ties. Finding a provider who has sought out specialized training on ties and the myriad problems that a tongue tie can present in an infant or child is difficult to find. Finding one that can provide a revision of the tongue tie, support a family through a brief habilitation period afterwards and also provide the bodywork necessary to support the child in a full recovery of tongue tie related symptoms is virtually unheard of. For this reason, a child with ties will be best served by a team of providers, each of whom specializes in one particular area in which your baby needs.
A typical experience for the family experiencing difficulties that they suspect may be attributed to tethered oral tissues generally begins with breastfeeding struggles. Some, but not all, babies with tethered oral tissues will have trouble transferring milk from the breasts. Trouble with milk transfer can sometimes look like a sleepy baby that's difficult to keep awake, or other times it can look like prolonged feeding sessions (30 minutes or more). Other times there's a quiver in the chin after a nursing session. This struggle can lead to low milk supply in the mother, low weight gain (or good initial weight gain followed by a plateau or slowed gain after 6-8 weeks of age), sleep disruption, and colicky behaviors. In a mother with a very active letdown and bountiful supply, the baby may simply have a shallow latch that doesn't cause her any pain, and may grow as expected (or beyond expectations) and the pediatrician may say that there's nothing wrong since growth is good!
The skilled lactation support professional will be well versed in the normal function of the tongue as an organ, and know how to remedy any deficiencies found in the tongue due to tethered oral tissues (TOTs). I conduct a full assessment by my own method created as a result of extensive lectures and/or one on one training under a number of world-renowned industry professionals, who have authored peer-reviewed diagnostic tools for TOTs. Incorporating all of the diagnostic points raised in the various sets of diagnostic criteria for tongue tie (there are several methods depending on the healthcare provider administering the assessment) to ensure the most comprehensive oral exam and assessment of tongue and suck function your baby has had to date.
As the LC, I am also in the best position to refer to the necessary providers (such as a pediatric dentist, craniosacral therapist, and/or myofunctional therapist) to remedy any deficiencies noted in your baby's tongue function as a result of tethered oral tissues. I am also qualified to teach you some oral exercises you can do with your baby to increase tongue function and strength so you can move forward with your lives together. I work very closely with Dr. Michelle Pietrantone, local chiropractor and craniosacral therapist, to ensure a holistic level of continuous care for your child.
Beyond the initial assessment and referrals, the tie-savvy lactation provider acts as the primary point of contact for the family as they monitor the treatments received for efficacy and assess tongue and suck function on an ongoing basis to ensure that treatments are proceeding as expected. Additionally, the LC will assist in the resolution of any issues which arose with regard to the breastfeeding relationship of a mother and baby that have experienced struggles in these areas along the way, including but not limited to flow preference to bottles (also called nipple confusion), low milk supply, low muscle tone in the tongue and face, etc.).
