Of course this answer varies for each baby based on their individual needs. However, most babies reach their goals and make real changes with 6-8 sessions. Some more, some less. My intention is to work with your family’s goals and resources to get the most out of therapy that you can.

Yes! I offer a 3-session package and a 6-session package. Purchasing a package saves you money and affirms a commitment to the therapeutic journey.

Yes! Babies use the same skills for both breast and bottle feeding, so working on those essential oral motor skills will improve both forms of feeding.

A tongue-tie is a type of oral restriction. An oral restriction can happen at any of the 7 frenula in the mouth: under the tongue, the upper lip, the lower lip, the upper cheeks and the lower cheeks. The frenula are connective tissue (i.e. fascia) that connects the tongue, lips and cheeks to the jaws. The tongue is the most common oral restriction followed by the upper lip. Restriction of the cheeks and lower lip are less common. A diagnosis of oral restriction requires both a visual assessment of the anatomy AND a functional assessment of the mouth (i.e. how do the tongue, lips and cheeks move). An accurate diagnosis is important and is accomplished by a skilled provider with a license to work in a baby’s mouth (ex: occupational therapist, speech therapist, dentist, ENT, nurse practitioner or pediatrician).

A frenectomy is the name of the procedure for releasing a restricted frenulum. It is common for people to refer to a frenectomy as a “revision” or a “fix.” However, a revision is the term for when a frenecomy is repeated a subsequent time. And the frenectomy doesn’t fix anything, it simply releases the restricted frenulum. Proper wound care and feeding therapy facilitate the best possible outcomes of the frenectomy.

Doing feeding therapy before and after a frenectomy is ideal. Feeding therapy before the frenectomy begins the process of learning a new motor pattern or way of using the parts of the mouth. It also strengthens and lengthens the tongue. Progress in these areas sets baby up for success post-release. Therapy after the release continues the skill building process to optimize baby’s capabilities. If you didn’t do feeding therapy before the release, don’t worry! You can still do it afterward and your baby can reap great benefits.

The frenectomy is one part of the process for treating oral restriction. It is the part that releases the frenulum. The release provides more range of motion and the capability for new skills. However, new motor skills are developed with specific therapeutic techniques and repetition. The release alone cannot change how the parts of the mouth are used.