03/18/2026
Tongue and lip ties aren't just a breastfeeding problem. They're a whole-body problem — and most people never find out or they are told everything "looks" normal.
As an IBCLC I perform a thorough oral assessment on every baby I see. I'm not just looking in your baby's mouth for 2 seconds, I look at how the latch may be affecting you, tongue range of motion and function. I'm evaluating overall breastfeeding comfort AND whether tethered tissues may be impacting your baby by way of swallowing air that is often confused for reflux or a dairy allergy, and slow weight gain impacted by limited transfer at the breast.
When tethered tissues aren't addressed, they can affect:
🦷 Oral rest posture — if a child can't maintain correct oral rest posture, it leads to a narrow palate
🦷 Orthodontic issues — crowded teeth, open bite, overbite, and the need for more extensive (and expensive!) treatment down the road
😮💨 A narrow palate = a narrow airway
😴 A narrow airway = grinding, snoring, and disrupted sleep
😬 TMJ dysfunction (TMD)
🧍 Whole body tension and postural compensations
Your baby is incredibly resilient — their body WILL find ways to compensate. But those compensations come with a cost over time.
If my assessment indicates a concern, here's what the next steps looks like:
✅ Referral for bodywork first
✅ If things don't improve, a referral to a pediatric dentist for an official diagnosis and possible release of the frenulum
Knowledge is power, mama. You deserve a provider who is looking at the WHOLE picture.
I'm an IBCLC with TOTs (Tethered Oral Tissues) training — here to help you connect the dots.
📩 Book a FREE 15 minute consultation.
https://paradiselactation.intakeq.com/booking?serviceId=bd30d5a8-0560-40f6-ae46-5cfc6aa49886
OR
Text: 352-801-6025
