As a provider, some stories stay with you and this was one of them.
A mama reached out to me after being referred by her chiropractor in Brownsburg. She shared that her older daughter had previously been seen by a pediatric dentist for oral ties, and she had already been told that both of her children likely had a lip and tongue-tie.
But this time felt different.
She was exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do next.
And what made it even harder?
She is a speech therapist herself.
She shared that she almost didn’t reach out because she felt like she should know what to do.
Signs of Tongue-Tie in Bottle-Fed Babies
Her baby girl was 9 weeks old at the time of our visit and was being exclusively bottle-fed due to a protein allergy.
From the very beginning, feeding had been a struggle.
She described it as:
“Chaotic.”
Her baby was:
• latching and unlatching constantly
• gagging and choking during feeds
• arching her back
• showing signs of reflux
• crying most of the day
She could only take about 2 oz at a time, then needed a break before finishing the rest of the bottle—if she finished it at all.
Feeds were long, exhausting, and stressful for everyone involved.
Conflicting Advice
Before reaching out, the family had already tried to find answers.
They met with a pediatric OT who suggested that the tongue could simply be stretched over time.
But here’s the truth:
A tongue-tie does not resolve with stretching alone.
Without addressing the restriction, babies often continue to compensate in ways that make feeding harder—not easier.
What I Saw During the Evaluation
At our in-home consultation, I completed a full oral motor and feeding evaluation.
Baby girl was sweet, expressive, and engaged but her feeding told a different story.
She presented with:
• gagging and choking on milk
• clicking during bottle feeds
• poor endurance (unable to finish 4 oz)
• upper lip blisters
• reflux symptoms
• a chomping/munching pattern on the bottle
• combative behavior during feeding
Her history also included a 2-day NICU stay with NG-tube support, which can sometimes impact early feeding patterns.
During the oral exam, I identified:
• a tight lip-tie
• a posterior tongue-tie
She also showed overall body tension, which the family was already addressing with chiropractic care.
Small Changes… Big Hope
During the session, I introduced:
• cheek, lip, and tongue stretches
• pacifier pull exercises
• positioning adjustments
And something really special happened.
Later that night, mom texted me:
“Any chance those stretches helped immediately? Because since you left, she drank 2 bottles—5 oz each—all in one stretch and is happy as a lark!”
That moment gave mom something she hadn’t felt in a while:
Hope.
The Plan Moving Forward
Based on her symptoms and oral function, I recommended a lip and tongue-tie release, along with continued bodywork and oral exercises.
The family chose full support through my package, which allowed us to stay closely connected throughout the process.
This included:
• text support with videos and questions
• step-by-step guidance through stretches
• in-home follow-up visits
• collaboration with their pediatric dentist
I even met them at the dental office, sat with mom before the procedure, and helped keep her mind at ease while dad stayed with baby.
The First Feed After Release
That night, mom sent this message:
“I know she said the first feed would look really good, but I am sobbing. She looks so much better. Her lips are actually how they’re supposed to be on the bottle… and she’s so much more efficient. It gives me hope for what 3 weeks from now might look like.”
Real Progress at Home
Over the next week, we continued working together through:
• oral motor exercises
• feeding observations
• adjusting techniques in real time
And then came another message:
“Baby just took her first full bottle from dad since she was born. He was so excited.”
Followed by dad’s text:
“She finished her bottle. It’s the best she’s ever done with me.”
These are the moments that matter.
What Changed After Tongue-Tie Release
Within a short time, feeding went from:
• chaotic
• exhausting
• incomplete
To:
• more efficient
• more comfortable
• more connected
Mom also shared that the additional tools (including oils and support strategies) were:
“Life-changing.”
Why This Matters
This story isn’t just about a tongue-tie release.
It’s about:
• being heard as a parent
• getting the right support at the right time
• understanding your baby’s feeding patterns
• and knowing you don’t have to figure it out alone
Even providers—like this mama—need support sometimes.
Need Support for Feeding or Tongue-Tie?
If feeding feels harder than it should…
If your baby is struggling with bottles or breastfeeding…
Or if you’ve been told to “wait and see” but your gut says something isn’t right…
Many parents don’t realize that tongue tie in bottle fed babies can still cause gagging, clicking, and feeding difficulties.
You don’t have to stay stuck in that place.
I offer in-home support for families in the Indianapolis area so we can work together in your real environment, with real-time guidance.
👉 Book a call to see how I can support your family
👉 Explore my support packages here
A Note From Me
I’ll meet you where you are.
I’ll celebrate your wins with you.
And I’ll sit with you in the hard moments too.
