Presentation Information

Game Changers in a Tongue Tie Clinical Protocol

• Speaker: Patricia Díaz Lorenzo , MD, Pediatrician, IBCLC, Doula
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME

Abstract:

When working with families on the journey of an infant tongue tie diagnosis, we frequently find ourselves in complex scenarios with desperate parents: mothers who have experienced painful breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, frustration and uncertainty due to few results, expressed in the baby's slow weight gain, gastrointestinal symptoms, fussy/sleepy babies and confusing or little guidance from their health providers. Depending on the time these families arrive at our specialized Tongue Tie Protocol, they might present with high and unrealistic expectations regarding a “quick release” of the restrictive lingual frenulum and without a proper understanding of the pre- and post-release requirements that can facilitate optimal results. Our protocol has evolved over the years, refining the elements that have demonstrated better adherence to the recommendations and greater commitment to the pre- and post- release strategy designed by a multidisciplinary team of pediatrician IBCLC, pediatric surgeon and bodywork group integrated by occupational therapist and fonoaudiologist/ speech therapist, who is in charge of guiding orofacial muscle competence. This holistic and integrative vision has allowed us to support families to achieve their breastfeeding goals with greater ease and enjoyment, develop the baby's myofascial competence so that they are not simply compensating, facilitate more fluid transitions to starting solid foods, promote predominantly nasal breathing patterns, and build the potential for more harmonious and functional facial development.