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Oral Restrictions

Your Fort Worth Lactation Consultant For Tongue Tie

It Doesn’t Have To Stop Your Breastfeeding Story…
You’re trying to figure out if your baby has a tongue tie and it’s…information overload! Too many conflicting stories or advice that just doesn’t feel right. You’re reading things like:
“They don't exist.”                     
     “Mild ones shouldn’t impact your baby.”                              
“Just bottle feed.”

Yes, a small piece of tissue (the fascia/frenulum) impacts your baby’s ability to feed… from the breast OR a bottle!

 The frenulum limits the tongue’s range of motion — which only becomes problematic when your baby can’t fully suck when feeding. Tongue tie restricts their ability to withdraw milk properly and leads to frustration for both of you.
I’m Heather, a Fort Worth IBCLC for over 10 years — ready to spark hope for your feeding journey. Let’s dig into real solutions and options for treating a tongue tie. You don’t have to do it alone!

Get Expert Guidance Today
Tongue Tie Symptoms That Negatively Impact Feeding
You want a happy and healthy baby but something’s off. You feel it in your gut. Every time you feed your baby it’s a struggle… for you, them, or both! 
As a seasoned lactation consultant (and mom!) with personal experience with tongue ties, I know the pain it causes for the whole family.

Baby's Symptoms
Unable to latch
Gagging
Breastfeed often
(because they aren’t getting enough or they're working so hard!)

Reflux
Leaking milk
Feeding’s downright hard

Your Symptoms
It hurts to feed your baby
Cracked or bleeding nipples
Low milk production 
Clogged ducts
Mastitis
Engorgement
Feeding just seems harder than it should be
Feeling discouraged or uneasy
Anxiety around feeding your baby

"Heather has been phenomenal as we walk through my daughter’s tongue tie and frenotomy recovery."
Madeline G.



You didn’t sign up for this, and you don’t know what to do. Desperately scrolling at 2am for answers doesn’t have to be your story anymore. You and baby can get more sleep when they can eat more easily. With real answers to your specific challenges, you
can fall in love with breastfeeding! Let’s look at the next step.

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What A First Time Tongue Tie Visit Looks Like For Your Family
  • Oral Assessment & Initial Consult
90-120 minutes of valuable time getting to know you and your baby. In real time, I assess how feeding’s going and see the severity of tongue restriction. This full exam gives me details I need to determine the best treatment options for your little one. I’m proud to offer both holistic and mainstream solutions to bring your feeding dreams to life.
  • Symptoms
Whether you’re dealing with pain or stress, watching your precious child suffer, or you're both having a hard time, it takes a serious toll. I want to hear all the details about what you’re going through. 
We discuss how to improve feeding right away and refer you to a specialist if a release procedure’s the right option.
  • Pre & Post Care Guidance
Having to go through something like this is hard on the whole family. Instead of feeling lost and scared, you’ll have me by your side with answers to your questions and a clear path forward. I’ve been there with my own kids, so I know how it feels!

With referrals to the best release providers in the area, we’ll quickly get you into the right hands. We discuss what to expect, the different stages of healing, and review recommended aftercare stretches. I got you! You’ll be confident and ready to tackle this. Don’t worry, okay?

PLUS 2 full weeks of extra text/email/phone support! I told you… I got you!
"Heather is amazing! I left her a voicemail early in the morning after a crazy sleepless night with a newborn who suddenly decided not to latch at all but scream instead. Heather was at my house within a couple of hours. I didn’t even realize how much i needed her gentle and confident presence. She stayed with me through the entire feeding routine from waking up, changing a diaper, latching, feeding, burping, switching sides. She is a wealth of knowledge and compassion. My baby latched on both sides and is now peacefully sleeping skin to skin with me. She left a lot of good information and references for the next few weeks. I am forever grateful! She didn’t just get my baby to latch and nurse, she did so much more. I feel empowered, understood, supported. Thank you!"   Zhenya G.

FAQ's
Will a tongue tie stretch out? 
No, a true tongue tie (restriction of the frenulum/fascia) can’t be stretched out. 
We can develop compensations throughout our lives or through bodywork (chiropractic/ myofascial/ craniosacral therapy) to reduce related tensions or mobility concerns.

Does it matter who treats my baby?  
Absolutely! We want to work with a team player — a release provider who understands babies, a knowledgeable bodywork provider,  and an experienced IBCLC all work together to find what’s best for BOTH parent & baby.
When you work with me, we come up with a detailed game plan. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone during this process.

We can just bottle-feed, right?  
Maybe, maybe not. True restrictions of the mouth and related tissues affect your baby in different ways (ability to eat, spacing of feeds, overall movement, and breathing). 
Bottle feeding may be just as challenging as breast/chest feeding — or even more challenging. It really depends on your baby’s specific case.

If it doesn't hurt to feed, does it mean there's not a tongue tie?  
Not necessarily. Many babies have restrictions that go unnoticed. If your milk supply’s plentiful and easy to stimulate, your baby doesn't have to work very hard to eat.
But that could change in a few weeks or months with a tongue tie. Other causes of concern not related to pain are frequency of feeds, length of feeds, or weight gain problems.
NOTE: You shouldn’t have pain or discomfort while feeding. So if you do, let’s address it..

 Does insurance cover tongue tie visits?
Many do! I partner with The Lactation Network (TLN) who works with various insurance on lactation support.

Find out if you’re covered HERE!
How do I set up an appointment with you?
  1. Check on insurance coverage with TLN.
  2. Book your appointment with me HERE.
  3. Check your email and follow the simple steps before our appointment. Let’s figure out what’s going on!
You Deserve The Experience You Dream Of — Let’s Make It Happen For Your Family!
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Information within this site is not intended to serve as primary medical information for your unique situation, without a Consultation, information found here may not be in your best interest or assist in developing a care plan for your unique situation.
We value your privacy, no information submitted via this or affiliate sites shall be sold, rented or given to 3rd party companies or individuals, except in those cases where noted
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©BeyondtheBreast, Heather Martin,IBCLC,RLC 2023

Photography: Office & Headshots @EastLayneBirths,  MainPage@LyndaBlairPhoto
                                                                                                                                                         
                            
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