“It’s Not Just the Tongue Tie” — What I Wish More Parents Knew About Oral Function
- Dr. Rachael Carreon PT, DPT, CBS
- Jun 23, 2025
- 4 min read
As an infant Oral Motor PT & mama
If your baby was diagnosed with a tongue tie and we were sitting at my kitchen table right now… coffee in hand, kids crawling around our feet and interrupting us every five minutes - this is the story I’d tell you.
It starts with my first baby, Caleb.
When he was little, he had what most people would probably call “a mild tie.” His tongue moved around pretty well, and honestly, it didn’t jump out as something that had to be released right away.
But feeding? Feeding was a mess.
He couldn’t stay latched, his suck was shallow, milk leaked constantly, and his whole body felt tense - like he just couldn’t relax. And I was in pain every single time he latched (like, toe-curling, tears-in-my-eyes kind of pain).
On top of that, he had torticollis and a flat spot on one side of his head.
Looking back, it all makes sense. But at the time? It felt like I was spinning my wheels.
We were doing everything I recommend to parents - repositioning, lots of tummy time, stretches, supporting his feeding positioning - and some of it helped. I was told that his latch "looked good" and assumed that I should push through the pain for a while...but there was still this sense in my gut that something deeper was going on.
Because of what I do, I knew the signs of oral motor dysfunction and body tension. And I knew that in Caleb’s case, going straight to a release wasn’t the answer.
We had to start with function first - supporting his body, working through the tension, and helping his oral motor system do it's job better.
That decision - to slow down, look at the full picture, and treat the function first - completely changed everything for him.
What I Do in My Practice (And Why)
Because of what I went through with Caleb, and what I’ve seen in dozens of babies since, I approach ties a little differently in my practice.
Whether it’s a fussy feeder, a baby with reflux or a flat spot, or a mom who’s been told, “You just need to snip the tie and everything will be better,” I always zoom out and ask: how is the baby functioning as a whole?
Here’s the process I use and recommend to every family navigating ties or tension:
1. Functional evaluation
We start with a full-body, head-to-toe assessment. We look at how your baby moves, how they use their mouth, how they coordinate breathing and swallowing, and where there may be tension or compensations.
2. Build the right team
Depending on what we find, I help you connect with the right providers: lactation consultants, bodyworkers, release providers, speech or feeding therapists - whatever your baby needs.
3. Pre-habilitate the body and mouth
Before considering a release, we address areas of weakness or restriction. This might include gentle myofascial release, oral motor therapy, tummy time tweaks, or stretches.
4. Reassess
After a few weeks, we pause and look again. Some babies no longer need a release at all because their function has improved. Others are now better prepared to handle it, which means less trauma, better healing, and faster progress.
5. Coordinate release (if needed)
If we do decide a release is the right next step, we make sure everything is in place: proper timing, support for aftercare, and a provider who values function just as much as form.
6. Follow up and support
After release, we continue working together to support healing, rebuild function, and help your baby feel comfortable and coordinated in their body.
You Deserve More Than “Just Snip It”
I know how tempting it is to want a quick fix - especially when feeding feels SO hard and you’re exhausted and worried.
But please know this: you deserve a plan that looks at your whole baby.
You deserve providers who listen, who connect the dots, and who help you make decisions with intention, not fear.
I’m so grateful we took our time with Caleb. We were able to nurse for 18 months, he had zero difficulties starting solids, and he had no speech delays (in fact, he doesn’t seem to stop talking these days)!
And if you’re in the thick of it now, navigating tension, ties, or feeding issues…you’re not alone.
Ready for an expert to take a look?
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about what to do next, I’d love to support you. I work with babies from birth through their first year on things like feeding challenges, flat spots, torticollis, tension, and tie-related concerns.
📍In-person pediatric PT sessions in Charlottesville Virginia
📲Virtual consults available for oral motor and tension support
Let’s create a plan that’s tailored to your baby and your goals.
Book a session or send me a message with your questions—no pressure, just support.
We’re in this together, friend. And I promise; there is a path forward.
And since I get asked about this all the time, here are some links to my favorite oral motor toys that I used with Caleb to work on his latch, as well as my go-to pacifier to help with sucking! (Clicking the picture will take you to the link!)
